2 Samuel 3:16

16 But her husband followed her to Bahurim. He was crying all the way. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he did.

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.

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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 Ish-Bosheth. He ordered them to say, "Give me my wife Michal. She was promised to me. I paid for her with the skins I cut off when I circumcised 100 Philistines."

15 So Ish-Bosheth gave the order. He sent men who took Michal away from her husband Paltiel. Paltiel was the son of Laish.

16 But her husband followed her to Bahurim. He was crying all the way. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he did.

17 Abner talked with the elders of Israel. He said, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king.

18 Now do it! The LORD made a promise to David. He said, 'I will save my people Israel from the powerful hand of the Philistines. I will also save them from all of their enemies. I will save them through my servant David.' "