2 Samuel 3 Study Notes

3:1 The word long suggests the struggle between David and Saul’s son lasted awhile, probably at least two years (2:10).

3:2-5 Amnon would prove a tragic figure later (13:1-29). Absalom would later die in an attempt to seize his father’s throne (15:1-18:33). The reference to his mother as the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur, an Aramean city-state near the Sea of Galilee, suggests a marriage alliance between David and Talmai to strengthen David’s position in the north. Adonijah would later try to assume the throne, but Solomon would succeed David as king (1Kg 1:5-40).

3:6 Ish-bosheth naturally gave his leading general, Abner, a lot of authority. The text may indicate that Abner’s intentions were to seize the kingship.

3:7 Having sexual relations with a woman of the harem was obviously the unique privilege of the king and could have been perceived as an attempt by Abner to usurp the kingship (12:8; 16:20-22).

3:8 Abner’s response does not indicate whether he actually was guilty. He may have been shocked by Ish-bosheth’s suggestion of disloyalty after all he had done to support Ish-bosheth’s kingship. On the other hand, he may have felt Ish-bosheth should have overlooked his indiscretion with Saul’s concubine in light of his loyalty to Ish-bosheth in every other way.

3:9 Ironically, Abner was well aware of God’s promise to David, yet he had been advancing Ish-bosheth’s cause.

3:10 The two cities, Dan and Beer-sheba, essentially marked the northern and southern borders of Israel, respectively, spanning a distance of about 150 miles (24:2; 1Sm 3:20). Abner thus envisioned the entire nation unified under the throne of David.

3:11 Rather than having Abner executed for treason, Ish-bosheth was too intimidated to speak.

3:12 Abner sent messengers . . . to David because he would have wanted to make sure David accepted him. He did not want to be taken prisoner or executed.

3:13 Saul’s daughter Michal was David’s first wife (1Sm 18:27) whom Saul took away and gave to Paltiel son of Laish after David became a fugitive (1Sm 25:44). By getting her back, David also would reestablish himself as a legitimate relative and heir to Saul’s throne. David had never divorced Michal, so she rightfully belonged with him.

3:14-15 Ish-bosheth’s compliance with David’s demand further highlights his weakness. Perhaps with Abner having deserted to David’s side, Ish-bosheth lacked any real power and was trying to ensure that David did not kill him after becoming king (1Sm 24:20-21).

3:16 Paltiel, Michal’s husband of several years, was perhaps the one who along with Michal suffered the most through this ordeal. Bahurim was located near the Benjamin-Judah border. Abner was probably an imposing military man, so when he bluntly told Paltiel to go back, Paltiel was intimidated into obeying despite his broken heart.

3:17 Abner’s words, In the past you wanted David, to the elders of Israel seem to reflect earlier sentiments that may have arisen during days of discontentment with Saul’s leadership.

3:18 With his words the Lord has spoken, Abner appealed to the promise of the heavenly King to confirm David as Israel’s new king. The Philistines continued to be a threat to Israel during these uncertain days of civil war; the nation desperately needed unifying leadership.

3:19 Abner also informed the Benjaminites because Saul had come from them. David wanted the support of these citizens as much or more than any other, and he wanted to accomplish as much as he could through diplomacy rather than war.

3:20-21 Abner was ready to coordinate final plans among the northern tribes to gather all Israel to David. Once they made a covenant ratifying his reign over them, David would control the entire nation.

3:22-23 A raid of foreign populations living close to Judah would yield plunder that would help fund ongoing operations (see note at 4:2-3).

3:24 Joab expressed his shock (What have you done?) when he heard that David had let the man who used to be his enemy’s general leave in peace.

3:25 Joab was certain Abner’s motives were impure. It appears Joab’s motives were to protect David’s interests, though he may have been protecting his own as well since Abner would have been a potential rival to Joab as David’s leading general.

3:26 The well of Sirah was a site about two miles northwest of Hebron.

3:27 Joab stabbed him [Abner] in the stomach just as Abner had done to Asahel, Joab’s brother (2:23). Joab may have decided he knew better than David how to handle Saul’s former general. If Joab’s intentions were to exact revenge for Abner’s self-defense slaying of Asahel, he might have needed to submit to the decision of the elders of Hebron, which was a city of refuge (Jos 20:7).

3:28 David heard about what Joab had done, and he distanced himself from any blame for Abner’s death.

3:29 With his words May it hang over Joab’s head, David pronounced a series of curses that might fall on his general for his injustice. At the same time, he did not take Joab’s life because many people may have felt that Joab’s actions were justified, and because Joab was his nephew.

3:30 Perhaps Abishai led the delegation that summoned Abner back to Hebron, thus serving as Joab’s co-conspirator. Abner had killed Asahel in legitimate battle, but Joab killed Abner in a time of peace (1Kg 2:5).

3:31-32 David’s public participation in Abner’s stately funeral would further distance him from blame for Abner’s death. He is also called King David for the first time here. Abner’s burial in Hebron may have been David’s way of honoring Abner by treating him as one of David’s own tribe members. The king wept aloud, something kings did not normally do.

3:33-34 David took his mourning for Abner even further when he sang a lament. He alluded to Abner’s killers (Joab and Abishai) as criminals.

3:35 David determined that he would fast the rest of the day in mourning for Abner. His taking of an oath emphasized his determination to honor Abner in this way.

3:36 David’s integrity with regard to Abner and with regard to his oaths pleased the people. Ironically, Saul had sought to please the people but went back on his oaths and pleased neither the people nor God (see note at 1Sm 14:45).

3:37-38 David’s actions persuaded all the troops and all Israel of his innocence in Abner’s death. His designation of Abner as a great leader may have been the king’s way of showing he could forgive those Israelites who had challenged his kingship if they were now willing to submit to his rule.

3:39 Up to this point David had been anointed as king over Judah only (2:1-4); perhaps he intended his words I am the anointed king to further ingrain this idea in the minds of others as well. At the same time, he considered his position weak in contrast to the fierce nature of Joab and Abishai, the sons of Zeruiah.