2 Samuel 3:6-25

Abner Joins David

6 It came about while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David that ¹Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.

7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was ²Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?"

8 Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, "³Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hands of David; and yet today you charge me with a guilt concerning the woman.

9 "⁴May God do so to Abner, and more also, if ⁵as the LORD has sworn to David, I do not accomplish this for him,

10 ⁶to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, ⁷from Dan even to Beersheba."

11 And he could no longer answer Abner a word, because he was afraid of him.

12 Then Abner sent messengers to David in his place, saying, "Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you."

13 He said, "Good! I will make a covenant with you, but I demand one thing of you, namely, ⁸you shall not see my face unless * you ⁹first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see me."

14 So David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was betrothed ¹⁰for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines."

15 Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish.

16 But her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her as far as ¹¹Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go, return." So he returned.

17 Now Abner had consultation with ¹²the elders of Israel, saying, "In times * past you were seeking for David to be king over you.

18 "Now then, do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, '¹³By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.' "

19 Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin; and in addition Abner went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to ¹⁴the whole house of Benjamin.

20 Then Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.

21 Abner said to David, "Let me arise and go and ¹⁵gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that ¹⁶you may be king over all that your soul desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

22 And behold, ¹⁷the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.

23 When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, they told Joab, saying, "Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace."

24 Then Joab came to the king and said, "What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you; why then have you sent him away and he is already gone?

25 "You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you and to learn of ¹⁸your going out and coming in and to find out all that you are doing."

2 Samuel 3:6-25 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.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 2:8, 9
• 2. 2 Samuel 21:8-11
• 3. 1 Samuel 24:14; 2 Samuel 9:8
• 4. 1 Kings 19:2
• 5. 1 Samuel 15:28
• 6. 1 Samuel 15:28
• 7. 1 Samuel 3:20
• 8. Genesis 43:3
• 9. 1 Samuel 18:20; 1 Samuel 19:11
• 10. 1 Samuel 18:25, 27
• 11. 2 Samuel 16:5; 2 Samuel 19:16
• 12. 1 Samuel 8:4
• 13. 1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 15:28
• 14. 1 Samuel 10:20, 21; 1 Chronicles 12:29
• 15. 2 Samuel 3:10, 12
• 16. 1 Kings 11:37
• 17. 1 Samuel 27:8
• 18. Deuteronomy 28:6; 1 Samuel 29:6; Isaiah 37:28

Footnotes

• [a]. So some ancient mss and versions; M.T. "he"
• [b]. Lit "saying"
• [c]. Lit "my face"
• [d]. In 1 Sam 25:44, "Palti"
• [e]. Lit "a word"
• [f]. So many ancient mss and versions; M.T. "he"