2 Samuel 3:1-11

The House of David Grows Stronger

1 The battle [was] prolonged between the house of Saul and the house of David, but David {[was] growing stronger and stronger} while the house of Saul {[was] becoming weaker and weaker}.

2 And sons [were] born to David in Hebron; his firstborn [was] Amnon by Ahinoam {from Jezreel}.

3 His second [was] Kileab by Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; the third [was] Absalom the son of Maacah, [who was] the daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur.

4 The fourth [was] Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth [was] Shephatiah the son of Abital.

5 The sixth [was] Ithream by Eglah the wife of David. These [were] born to David in Hebron.

6 As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was [continuing], Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul.

7 Saul had had a concubine, and her name [was] Rizpah the daughter of Aiah. Then [Ish-Bosheth] said to Abner, "Why {did you have sex with} my father's concubine?"

8 {Abner became very angry} at the words of Ish-Bosheth, and he said, "[Am] I the head of a dog which [is] for Judah today? Do I not continue to show loyal love with the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends? I have not let you fall into the hands of David, yet you have {accused me of sin with this woman} today.

9 Thus {may God punish Abner}, {if I do not accomplish what Yahweh has sworn to David};

10 [specifically,] to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah from Dan to Beersheba!"

11 And [Ish-Bosheth] was no longer able to {answer} Abner {because he feared him}.

2 Samuel 3:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 3

This chapter begins with the continuation of the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, 2Sa 3:1; and gives an account of the wives of David, and his sons by them, 2Sa 3:2-5; of a quarrel between Ishbosheth and Abner, 2Sa 3:6-11; and of Abner's proposal to make a league with David; but David would not see his face unless Michal his wife was returned to him, who was accordingly, 2Sa 3:12-16; and of the interest Abner made with the elders of Israel in favour of David, which he reported to him, and promised to make more, 2Sa 3:17-21; but Joab returning from a pursuit, and with great spoil, just as Abner departed, and hearing of it, chided David for letting him go, and privately sent for him back, and treacherously murdered him, 2Sa 3:22-27; from which murder David cleared himself and his kingdom, and for it made dreadful imprecations on Joab and his family, 2Sa 3:28-30; and buried Abner with great lamentation, expressing much concern for his death, and the high opinion he had of him, 2Sa 3:31-39.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "[was] going and strong"
• [b]. Literally "[was] going and weak"
• [c]. Literally "the Jezreelitess"
• [d]. Supported by some Hebrew and Greek manuscripts
• [e]. Literally "have you gone into"
• [f]. Literally "And it became hot for Abner very"
• [g]. Literally "you have called me into account with the guilt of the woman"
• [h]. Literally "may God do to Abner, and thus may he add to it"
• [i]. Literally "for as that Yahweh has sworn to David, so I will accomplish for him"
• [j]. Literally "return a word to"
• [k]. Literally "because of his fearing him"