2 Samuel3
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 There was a between the of and the of . And and , while the of and .
2 And were to at : his was , of of ;
3 and his , , of the of of ; and the , the of the of of ;
4 and the , the of ; and the , the of ;
5 and the , , of , . These were to in .
6 While there was between the of and the of , was making himself in the of .
7 Now had a whose was , the of . And Ish-bosheth to , have you gone to my ?
8 Then was over the of and , Am I a of ? To this I to the of your , to his , and to his , and have not given you the of . And yet you me with a concerning a .
9 do to and , if I not accomplish for what the Lord has to him,
10 to the from the of and the of over and over , from to .
11 And Ish-bosheth not another , because he him.
12 And to on his behalf, , To whom does the belong? your with me, and , my shall be with you to to you.
13 And he , ; I will a with you. But I of you; that , you shall not my unless you , , when you to my .
14 Then to , , , me my , for whom I the bridal price of a of the .
15 And and her from her the of .
16 But her with her, her all the way to . Then to him, , . And he .
17 And with the of , , For some you have been as over you.
18 Now then bring it , for the Lord has , , By the of my I will my from the of the , and from the of all their .
19 also . And then to at that and the of to do.
20 When with to at , a for and the who were with him.
21 And to , I will and and will to my the , that they may a with you, and that you may that your . So , and he in .
22 the of with from a , with them. But was not with at , for he had , and he had in .
23 When and all the that was with him , it was , the of to the , and he has let him , and he has in .
24 Then to the and , have you ? , to you. Why is it that you have , so that he ?
25 You that the of to you and to your and your , and to all that you are .
26 When from presence, he , and they from the of . But did not about it.
27 And when to , the of the to with him , and there he him in the , so that he , for the of his .
28 , when of it, he , I and my are before the Lord the of the of .
29 May it upon the of and upon his , and may the of never be one who has a or who is or who a or who by the or who !
30 So and his , because he had their to in the at .
31 Then to and to the who were with him, your and and . And the .
32 They at . And the his and at the of , and all the .
33 And the for , , Should as a ?
34 Your were not ; your not ; as one the you have . And all the over him.
35 Then the to to while it was . But , , do to me and , if I or the !
36 And all the of it, and it them, as everything that the all the .
37 So all the and all that that it had not been the will to the of .
38 And the to his , Do you not that a and a has this in ?
39 And I was , though . These , the of , are than I. The Lord the according to his !
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2 Samuel 3Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 3. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David's power increases His family. (1–6). Abner revolts to David. (7–21). Joab kills Abner David mourns for him. (22–39).
vv1-6
The length of this war tried the faith and patience of David, and made his settlement at last the more welcome. The contest between grace and corruption in the hearts of believers, may fitly be compared to this warfare. There is a long war between them, the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; but as the work of holiness is carried on, corruption, like the house of Saul, grows weaker and weaker; while grace, like the house of David, grows stronger and stronger.
vv7-21
Many, like Abner, are not above committing base crimes, who are too proud to bear reproof, or even the suspicion of being guilty. While men go on in sin, and apparently without concern, they are often conscious that they are fighting against God. Many mean to serve their own purposes; and will betray those who trust them, when they can get any advantage. Yet the Lord serves his own designs, even by those who are thus actuated by revenge, ambition, or lust; but as they intend not to honour him, in the end they will be thrown aside with contempt. There was real generosity both to Michal and to the memory of Saul, in David's receiving the former, remembering probably how once he owed his life to her affection, and knowing that she was separated from him partly by her father's authority. Let no man set his heart on that which he is not entitled to. If any disagreement has separated husband and wife, as they expect the blessing of God, let them be reconciled, and live together in love.
vv22-39
Judgments are prepared for such scorners as Abner; but Joab, in what he did, acted wickedly. David laid Abner's murder deeply to heart, and in many ways expressed his detestation of it. The guilt of blood brings a curse upon families: if men do not avenge it, God will. It is a sad thing to die like a fool, as they do that any way shorten their own days, and those who make no provision for another world. Who would be fond of power, when a man may have the name of it, and must be accountable for it, yet is hampered in the use of it? David ought to have done his duty, and then trusted God with the issue. Carnal policy spared Joab. The Son of David may long delay, but never fails to punish impenitent sinners. He who now reigns upon the throne of David, has a kingdom of a nobler kind. Whatever He doeth, is noticed by all his willing people, and is pleasing to them.
Key Words
אָרֹךְ: long
מִלְחָמָה: a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
שָׁאוּל: Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
הָלַךְ: to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
חָזֵק: powerful
דַּל: properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יָלַד: to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
Cross References
2 Samuel 3Direct parallel list of David's sons born in Hebron, confirming names and maternal origins.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Verbatim reference to the bride price of one hundred Philistine foreskins for Michal.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Joab kills Amasa in the same treacherous manner (striking under the fifth rib).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Solomon references Joab's guilt in murdering Abner, executing judgment to clear David's line.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Tragic consequences concerning David's firstborn Amnon and his third son Absalom.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Adonijah, David's fourth son born in Hebron, later attempts to usurp the throne.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Taking a king's concubine acts as a virtual claim to the throne in eastern custom.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Records Saul giving Michal, David's wife, to Phaltiel (Phalti) the son of Laish.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The background event where Abner reluctantly killed Joab's brother Asahel in battle.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The spiritual warfare of flesh versus spirit parallels the weakening house of Saul.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Absalom flees to Geshur to his maternal grandfather Talmai after murdering Amnon.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David uses the same 'dog' idiom to express utter insignificance and self-abasement.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Samuel's prophecy of transferring Saul's kingdom to David, which Abner acknowledges here.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrasts Ish-bosheth's inability to answer Abner with David's weakness before Joab.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Bahurim, where Phaltiel was turned back, is also where Shimei cursed David.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Abner as the son of Ner, Saul's uncle and captain of the host.
Supported by Matthew Poole