2 Samuel 3 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

2 Samuel 3

Abner Joins David

3:1 There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

2 And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

6 While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” 8 Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “Am I a dog’s head of Judah? To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David. And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman. 9 God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what 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 Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf,¹ saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you.” 13 And he said, “Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid the bridal price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” And he returned.

17 And Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you. 18 Now then bring it about, for the LORD has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’” 19 Abner also spoke to Benjamin. And then Abner went to tell David at Hebron all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin thought good to do.

20 When Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron, David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. 21 And Abner said to David, “I will arise and go and will 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.

22 Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace.” 24 Then Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone? 25 You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”

Joab Murders Abner

26 When Joab came out from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it. 27 And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father’s house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

David Mourns Abner

31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier. 32 They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept. 33 And the king lamented for Abner, saying,

  “Should Abner die as a fool dies?
34   Your hands were not bound;
    your feet were not fettered;
  as one falls before the wicked
    you have fallen.”

And all the people wept again over him. 35 Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, “God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!” 36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people. 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s will to put to death Abner the son of Ner. 38 And 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 was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!”

Footnotes

[1] 3:12 Or where he was; Septuagint at Hebron

Commentary

v1: The events of chapter 2 continued for two years, as David grew stronger.

v2-5: David had several wives, which set a bad example for Solomon, see Deut 17.14-17. It is suggested that David's marriage to Maacah, daughter of the king of Geshur, was to promote good political relations; in contrast, Solomon loved many foreign women (1 Kings 11.1-2). Of the six sons born at Hebron, three caused problems later, Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah.

v6-11: Abner's disagreement with Ishbosheth. Abner had given Ishbosheth his power, but at the same time, he strengthened his own position. Abner expected Ishbosheth to ignore his transgression, as a mark of gratitude for his loyalty.

Abner recognised that he was supporting a defeated kingdom, since the Lord God had promised the throne to David. Thus Ishbosheth's final defeat was only a matter of time. Abner also knew that he could transfer the whole kingdom over to David.

v12-14: Abner took the opportunity to send a message to David. David also knew that Abner was the key to winning over the whole of Israel. David accepted Abner's offer, but only on the condition that Michal, who had been married to David, would be returned to him. David had married Michal (1 Sam 18.20-29), but after David had fled from Saul (1 Sam 19.17), Michal had been given to Paltiel (1 Sam 25.44). Later, we find that Michal did not share David's spiritual desire (6.16); David may have been wiser to have forsaken his 'right' over her.

v15-16: David's message about Michal was sent to Ishbosheth, and he responded.

v17-19: Abner approached the elders of Israel. He used the promise that David would deliver them from the Philistines, and from all their enemies. This would have been effective, since Ishbosheth was impotent.

v20-21: David accepted Abner; his attitude contrasted with Joab's suspicion. But Abner had killed Asahel, Joab's brother, so he had a 'reason' to feel as he did. Joab was not spiritual, but he was loyal. It may be that David should have identified these attitudes, and brought Joab and Abner together in peace.

v22-23: As Abner was leaving David, Joab returned. He was told of Abner's visit, and either did not hear the whole story, or he may not have accepted what he was told.

v24-25: Joab accused Abner of spying.

v26-27: Joab sent a message to bring Abner back, but did not tell David. This presented him the opportunity to kill Abner.

v28-30: David pronounced a curse upon Joab's family. Joab had used deceit to kill Abner.

v31-35: David had genuine sorrow over Abner, as he had for Saul and, later, for Ishbosheth. He had no desire to 'get even', nor to criticise the one who could not answer back. David even commanded Joab to mourn with him, and Joab doubtless heard David's lament, referring to Joab as "wicked". Later (19.5-8), Joab criticised this attitude in David.

v36-39: The people knew that David had not wanted Abner killed. He described Abner as "a prince and a great man". In contrast Joab was "too strong" (or harsh), and an evildoer.