CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
2 Samuel 3
Chapter 3 of 24
Chapter Overview
What happens in 2 Samuel 3
The war between the house of Saul and the house of David continues. Abner switches sides and begins to bring all Israel over to David, but Joab murders Abner to avenge his brother Asahel. David publicly mourns Abner to show he had no part in the killing.
Scripture
2 Samuel 3
David Grows Stronger
Study note
The civil war between David's kingdom in Judah and Ish-bosheth's kingdom in the north dragged on. Over time, David's side grew stronger while Saul's side grew weaker. During this period, David had six sons born to him in Hebron by different wives. His firstborn Amnon and his third son Absalom would both play tragic roles later in the story.
1 The conflict between Saul's house and David's house dragged on for a long time. As time went on, David's side grew stronger while Saul's side grew weaker. Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2 While living in Hebron, David had several sons. The oldest was Amnon, born to Ahinoam from Jezreel. And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3 The second was Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, Nabal's widow from Carmel. The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, daughter of King Talmai of Geshur. And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4 The fourth was Adonijah, born to Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah, born to Abital. And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5 The sixth was Ithream, born to David's wife Eglah. All these sons were born to David while he lived in Hebron. And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
Abner Switches to David's Side
Study note
Abner had been the real power behind Ish-bosheth's throne. When Ish-bosheth accused Abner of sleeping with Saul's concubine Rizpah, Abner was furious. In the ancient world, taking a king's concubine was the same as claiming the throne. Abner denied the charge and decided to help David become king over all Israel. David agreed to an alliance but demanded that his first wife Michal, Saul's daughter, be returned to him. Abner convinced the elders of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin to support David, then came to Hebron to finalize the agreement.
6 The war between Saul's house and David's house went on. Abner kept gaining more power in Saul's house. And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7 Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah. One day Ish-bosheth confronted Abner: "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?" And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
8 This made Abner furious. He shot back, "Do you think I am some worthless traitor from Judah? I have been completely loyal to your father Saul's family, to his relatives, and to his friends. I have not handed you over to David. And now you accuse me over this woman?" Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
9 "May God strike me down if I do not help bring about what the Lord has promised David!" So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
10 "I will take the kingdom from Saul's family. I will set David's throne over Israel and Judah. It will stretch from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south." To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.
11 Ish-bosheth did not dare say another word to Abner, because he was terrified of him. And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12 Abner then sent messengers to David with this offer: "After all, who truly controls the land? Make a deal with me, and I will use my influence to bring all of Israel to your side." And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13 David answered, "Good, I will make a deal with you. But there is one thing I require: when you come to meet me, bring my wife Michal, Saul's daughter, with you." And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
14 David also sent word directly to Ish-bosheth: "Return my wife Michal to me. I paid for her with the lives of a hundred Philistines." And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15 Ish-bosheth gave the order, and Michal was taken from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16 Her husband Paltiel followed her, weeping the whole way, until they reached the town of Bahurim. There Abner told him, "Go home." So Paltiel turned and went back. And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 Abner met with the leaders of Israel and told them, "You have wanted David as your king for quite some time now." And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18 "Well, now is the moment to act! The Lord once said about David, 'I will use my servant David to rescue my people Israel from the Philistines and all their other enemies.'" Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
19 Abner also talked privately with the people of Benjamin. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and Benjamin had agreed to. And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20 Abner arrived in Hebron with twenty of his men, and David hosted a feast in their honor. So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
21 Abner told David, "Let me leave right away to rally all of Israel behind you, my lord and king. They will make a covenant with you, and you will rule over everything your heart desires." David agreed and sent Abner on his way peacefully. And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
Joab Murders Abner
Study note
When Joab learned that David had made peace with Abner and sent him away safely, Joab was furious. Without David's knowledge, Joab sent messengers to bring Abner back to Hebron. When Abner arrived, Joab pulled him aside at the city gate as if to speak privately, and stabbed him in the stomach, killing him. Joab did this to avenge the death of his brother Asahel, whom Abner had killed in battle. But Joab's act was also likely motivated by jealousy, since Abner's alliance with David threatened Joab's position as army commander.
22 Shortly after, Joab and David's soldiers came back from a raid carrying a great deal of plunder. By this point, Abner had already left Hebron, since David had sent him away in peace. And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
23 When Joab arrived with all his troops, someone told him, "Abner son of Ner came to see the king, and the king let him leave peacefully." When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
24 Joab stormed up to the king and demanded, "What have you done? Abner came right to you, and you let him walk away?" Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
25 "Surely you realize Abner came here to deceive you! He wanted to spy on your movements and learn all your plans." Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
26 After leaving David's presence, Joab sent messengers to chase Abner down and bring him back from the well of Sirah. David had no idea this was happening. And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27 When Abner got back to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway as though he wanted to speak privately. There, Joab plunged a knife into Abner's stomach and killed him, getting revenge for his brother Asahel's death. And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28 When David found out what had happened, he said, "My kingdom and I had nothing to do with the death of Abner son of Ner. The Lord knows we are innocent." And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29 "Let the results fall on Joab and his whole family! May someone in his household always be sick, or walking with a crutch, or killed by violence, or going hungry." Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30 Joab and his brother Abishai had murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel during the battle at Gibeon. So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
David Mourns for Abner
Study note
David was horrified by Joab's act and publicly cursed Joab's family. He ordered everyone to mourn for Abner, and he personally walked behind the funeral stretcher. David composed a short lament for Abner and refused to eat anything until sunset. The people saw that David had nothing to do with Abner's murder, and it pleased them. David admitted that even though he was the anointed king, Joab and his brother Abishai were too violent and powerful for him to control at that time.
31 David ordered Joab and everyone with him, "Tear your clothes, wear rough sackcloth, and march ahead of Abner's body in mourning." King David himself walked behind the stretcher carrying the body. And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
32 Abner was buried in Hebron. At the graveside, the king wept loudly, and the people wept with him. And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33 The king sang a sad song over Abner: "Did Abner have to die like some common criminal?" And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
34 "Your hands were free. Your feet were not in chains. You were struck down by evil men." The people wept for Abner all over again. Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
35 People urged David to eat before the day ended. But David swore a vow. "May God punish me if I taste food before sunset." And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36 The people took notice and were pleased. In fact, the people approved of everything the king did. And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37 That day, all Israel clearly knew the king had no part in Abner's death. For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38 The king told his officials, "Don't you see that a great leader has fallen in Israel today?" And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 "Even though I have been anointed king, I feel powerless right now. These sons of Zeruiah are too ruthless for me. May the Lord pay back the evildoer for what he has done." And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
Key Themes
Themes in 2 Samuel 3
The danger of unchecked violence and revengePolitical maneuvering and shifting loyaltiesLeadership integrity in the face of injusticePublic accountability and transparent leadership
Apply This Today
Living 2 Samuel 3
Joab's murder of Abner shows how personal grudges can derail God's plans and harm innocent people. We must guard against letting bitterness drive our actions, even when we feel justified. Seeking revenge often creates more problems than it solves.
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