2 Samuel 3:12-22

12 Aviner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying [also], Make your league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring about all Yisra'el to you.

13 He said, Well; I will make a league with you; but one thing I require of you: that is, you shall not see my face, except you first bring Mikhal, Sha'ul's daughter, when you come to see my face.

14 David sent messengers to Ish-Boshet, Sha'ul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Mikhal, whom I pledged to be married to me for one hundred foreskins of the Pelishtim.

15 Ish-Boshet sent, and took her from her husband, even from Palti'el the son of Layish.

16 Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bachurim. Then said Aviner to him, Go, return: and he returned.

17 Aviner had communication with the Zakenim of Yisra'el, saying, In times past you sought for David to be king over you:

18 now then do it; for the LORD has spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Yisra'el out of the hand of the Pelishtim, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

19 Aviner also spoke in the ears of Binyamin: and Aviner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hevron all that seemed good to Yisra'el, and to the whole house of Binyamin.

20 So Aviner came to David to Hevron, and twenty men with him. David made Aviner and the men who were with him a feast.

21 Aviner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Yisra'el to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires. David sent Aviner away; and he went in shalom.

22 Behold, the servants of David and Yo'av came from a foray, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Aviner was not with David in Hevron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in shalom.

2 Samuel 3:12-22 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.