Shmuel Bais 3:17

17 And Avner had communication with the Ziknei Yisroel, saying, Ye sought for Dovid in times past to be melech over you;

Shmuel Bais 3:17 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 3:17

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel
Had a conference with the chiefs of the several tribes about the affairs of the kingdom:

saying, ye sought for David in time past [to be] king over you;
that is, at the death of Saul, and not before; for it was pretty generally known throughout the kingdom that David was anointed by Samuel and Saul himself had declared that he knew the kingdom would come to him; so that upon his death it was the general expectation and desire of the people that the government would devolve upon him, as it doubtless would, if Abner had not set up one of Saul's house, and persuaded the Israelites to own him their king.

Shmuel Bais 3:17 In-Context

15 And Ishboshet sent, and took her from her ish, even from Phaltiel Ben Layish.

16 And her ish went with her going along weeping behind her to Bachurim. Then said Avner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

17 And Avner had communication with the Ziknei Yisroel, saying, Ye sought for Dovid in times past to be melech over you;

18 Now then do it; for Hashem hath spoken of Dovid, saying, By the yad of Avdi Dovid I will save My people Yisroel out of the yad Pelishtim, and out of the yad of all their oyevim.

19 And Avner also spoke in the oznayim of Binyamin; and Avner went also to speak in the oznayim of Dovid in Chevron all that seemed tov to Yisroel, and to the kol Bais Binyamin.