2 Samuel 3

In 2 Samuel 3, the conflict between the house of Saul, led by Abner, and the house of David intensifies. However, Abner eventually defects to David's side, seeking to establish David as the king over all Israel. The chapter also highlights personal and political maneuverings, including the murder of Abner by Joab, which complicates David’s ascent to power. It showcases the growing strength of David's kingdom and the decline of Saul's.

2 Samuel 3:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3 His second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;
4 The fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.

The protracted conflict between David and Saul's house represents the struggle for control over Israel. David's gradual rise in power and the increasing weakness of Saul’s lineage set the stage for David's eventual reign. The verses also list David's sons born in Hebron, a reminder of his growing family and influence. Each of these sons would play important roles in the future, especially Amnon and Absalom, who would later cause significant turmoil in David's reign.

2 Samuel 3:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Now it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul.
7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?"

While Abner supported the house of Saul, he also sought personal power. Ishbosheth, Saul's son, accused Abner of dishonoring Saul by taking his concubine Rizpah. In ancient Israel, taking the king's concubine was often seen as a claim to the throne. This accusation strains the relationship between Ishbosheth and Abner, leading to Abner's eventual defection to David.

2 Samuel 3:8-11 (NKJV)
8 Then Abner became very angry at the words of Ishbosheth, and said, "Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman?
9 May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as the Lord has sworn to him—
10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba."
11 And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

Abner's indignation at Ishbosheth’s accusation reveals the depth of his frustration. He declares his loyalty to Saul's house but also expresses his intention to shift his allegiance to David, believing that David's kingship was divinely ordained. This marks a turning point, as Abner decides to transfer the kingdom to David, further weakening Saul’s house. Ishbosheth's silence indicates his fear of Abner's power.

2 Samuel 3:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, "Whose is the land?" saying also, "Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you."
13 And David said, "Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face."

Abner reaches out to David, offering to bring all of Israel under David's rule. David agrees to make a covenant with Abner, but he makes one condition: the return of his wife Michal, Saul's daughter. Michal symbolizes David’s rightful claim to the throne, as Saul had given her to David before their estrangement. Her return would strengthen David’s legitimacy as king.

2 Samuel 3:14-16 (NKJV)
14 So David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines."
15 And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish.
16 Then her husband went along with her to Bahurim, weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, "Go, return!" And he returned.

David demands Michal’s return, citing the dowry he paid for her, reinforcing his legitimate claim. Ishbosheth complies, taking Michal from her current husband, Paltiel, who follows her weeping, demonstrating his deep attachment. Abner intervenes, sending Paltiel back, showing his authority and determination to fulfill David’s request.

2 Samuel 3:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, "In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you.
18 Now then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, 'By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.'"
19 And Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin. Then Abner also went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron, all that seemed good to Israel and the whole house of Benjamin.

Abner persuades the elders of Israel to accept David as king, reminding them of their past desire for David’s leadership and of God's promise to deliver Israel through David. Abner’s outreach to the tribe of Benjamin, Saul’s tribe, is significant, as winning their support would solidify David’s claim. Abner’s actions demonstrate his resolve to unify Israel under David.

2 Samuel 3:20-21 (NKJV)
20 So 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 Then Abner said to David, "I will arise and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

Abner’s visit to David symbolizes the beginning of the unification of Israel. David welcomes Abner with a feast, signaling the beginning of a new alliance. Abner promises to gather all Israel to support David as king, and David, in turn, sends him away in peace, reflecting his trust in Abner’s ability to fulfill his mission.

2 Samuel 3:22-25 (NKJV)
22 At that moment the 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 troops that were with him had come, they told Joab, saying, "Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he sent him away, and he has gone in peace."
24 Then Joab came to the king and said, "What have you done? Look, Abner came to you; why is it that you sent him away, and he is already gone?
25 Surely you realize that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you, to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing."

Joab, David’s military commander, becomes suspicious when he learns that Abner was sent away in peace. He confronts David, accusing Abner of spying on him and gathering intelligence to harm David. Joab’s distrust of Abner stems from personal enmity, as Abner had killed Joab's brother, Asahel. Joab’s opposition complicates David's efforts to consolidate his reign.

2 Samuel 3:26-27 (NKJV)
26 And when Joab had gone from David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it.
27 Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.

Joab, acting without David’s knowledge, lures Abner back and murders him to avenge his brother Asahel’s death. This act of personal vengeance undermines David’s efforts to peacefully unite the kingdom and creates a dangerous political situation. Joab’s actions threaten to cast suspicion on David, even though he had no part in Abner’s death.

2 Samuel 3:28-30 (NKJV)
28 Afterward, when David heard it, he said, "My kingdom and I are guiltless before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
29 Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father's house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread."
30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

David, upon hearing of Abner’s murder, publicly distances himself from the crime, declaring his innocence before God and pronouncing a curse on Joab’s family. David’s curse underscores the seriousness of Joab’s offense and his desire to maintain justice and integrity in his kingdom. Joab’s actions, motivated by personal revenge, disrupt the political peace David seeks.

2 Samuel 3:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner." And King David followed the coffin.
32 So they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.

David orders a public mourning for Abner, emphasizing his sorrow and respect for the fallen leader. David’s personal participation in the mourning process—following the coffin and weeping at Abner’s grave—demonstrates his sincerity in honoring Abner. This public display helps to dispel any rumors that David had approved of Abner's murder.

2 Samuel 3:33-34 (NKJV)
33 And the king sang a lament over Abner and said:
"Should Abner die as a fool dies?
34 Your hands were not bound nor your feet put into fetters;
As a man falls before wicked men, so you fell." Then all the people wept over him again.

David’s lament over Abner expresses sorrow for the injustice of his death, highlighting that Abner died not as a criminal or captive, but as an honorable man betrayed by wicked men. The lament stirs the people’s grief, reinforcing David’s message that Abner’s death was an unjust murder, and David himself bore no responsibility for it.

2 Samuel 3:35-36 (NKJV)
35 And when all the people came to persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, "God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!"
36 Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people.

David’s refusal to eat during the day as a sign of mourning impresses the people, showing his deep grief for Abner’s death. His actions win the favor of the people, reinforcing their perception of David as a just and honorable leader. The people’s approval is crucial as David seeks to unite the kingdom under his reign.

2 Samuel 3:37-39 (NKJV)
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king's intent to kill Abner the son of Ner.
38 Then the king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too harsh for me. The Lord shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness."

David’s public grief and his declaration of Abner as a “prince and great man” clarify to all Israel that David had no part in Abner’s death. David also acknowledges his own weakness in controlling men like Joab, but he trusts that God will deal with those who commit wickedness. This highlights David’s reliance on God’s justice while maintaining his own integrity.