2 Samuel 3:1-16

Civil War

1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David was long and drawn out, with David growing stronger and the house of Saul becoming weaker.

2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelite;

3 his second was Chileab, by Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third was Absalom, son of Maacah the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

4 the fourth was Adonijah, son of Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, son of Abital;

5 the sixth was Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.^[a]

6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner kept acquiring more power in the house of Saul.^[b]

7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?"

8 Abner was very angry about Ish-bosheth's accusation. "Am I a dog's head^[c] who belongs to Judah?" he asked. "All this time I've been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends and haven't handed you over to David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!

9 May God punish Abner and do so severely if I don't do for David what the Lord swore to him:

10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah^[d] from Dan to Beer-sheba."

11 Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner because he was afraid of him.

12 Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, "Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to hand all Israel over to you."

13 David replied, "Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there's one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul's daughter Michal here when you come to see me."

14 Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, "Give me back my wife, Michal. I was engaged to her for the price of 100 Philistine foreskins."^[e]

15 So Ish-bosheth sent someone to take her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.^[f]

16 Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Abner said to him, "Go back." So he went back.

2 Samuel 3:1-16 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. 1 Ch 3:1-5
• [b]. 2 Sm 2:8-9
• [c]. a despised person
• [d]. 1 Sm 15:28
• [e]. 1 Sm 18:20-27
• [f]. 1 Sm 25:44