2 Samuel 3:16

16 But her husband went with her, weeping as he walked behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he went back.

2 Samuel 3:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 3:16

And her husband went with her along weeping behind her
Because of his great affection to her, unwilling to part with her, but forced to it at the command of the king her brother:

to Bahurim;
a city in the tribe of Benjamin, ( 2 Samuel 19:16 ) ; perhaps the same with Almon, ( Joshua 21:18 ) ; these two words being of the same signification; and the Targum has it hero Almuth; so Alemeth in ( 1 Chronicles 6:60 ) . It seems to be the same Josephus F3 calls Bachures, and says it was not far from Jerusalem. Bunting F4 says it was something more than a mile towards the northeast, and at this time is a fair castle strongly fortified, standing in a high place, and in the valley near it, at the stone Bohan, ( Joshua 15:6 ) ; see ( 2 Samuel 17:18 ) ;

then said Abner to him, go, return, and he returned;
by which it appears that Abner came with her to introduce her to David, without whom he was not to see his face; and he did not choose her husband should go with her any further, and was at his orders obliged to go back, who otherwise would have gladly accompanied her further still, through his great affection for her.


FOOTNOTES:

F3 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 9. sect. 7.
F4 Travels, p. 144.

2 Samuel 3:16 In-Context

14 Then David sent messengers to Saul's son Ishbaal, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, to whom I became engaged at the price of one hundred foreskins of the Philistines."
15 Ishbaal sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish.
16 But her husband went with her, weeping as he walked behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he went back.
17 Abner sent word to the elders of Israel, saying, "For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you.
18 Now then bring it about; for the Lord has promised David: Through my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from all their enemies."
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.