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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>2 Samuel 3 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/2_samuel/3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/2_samuel/3-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > 2 Samuel 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../2_samuel/2.htm" title="2 Samuel 2">◄</a> 2 Samuel 3 <a href="../2_samuel/4.htm" title="2 Samuel 4">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/2_samuel/3.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Abner Changes Loyalties</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>After this, a state of protracted war existed between Saul’s dynasty and David’s dynasty, and the dynasty of David continued to grow and become strong while the dynasty of Saul continued to grow weaker. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>During this time, sons were born to David while he was living in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam from Jezreel, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>his second was Chileab by Abigail, widow of Nabal from Carmel, his third was Absalom by Maacah, daughter of King Talmai from Geshur, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>his fourth was Adonijah by Haggith, his fifth was Shephatiah by Abital, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>and his sixth was Ithream by David’s wife Eglah. They were all<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:5 The Heb. lacks all">a</a></span> born to David in Hebron.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>While war continued between the dynasties of Saul and David, Abner was growing in influence within the dynasty of Saul. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Meanwhile, Saul had a mistress<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:7 Or concubine; i.e. a secondary wife; and so throughout the chapter">b</a></span> named Rizpah, who was the<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:7 The Heb. lacks who was the">c</a></span> daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:7 Lit. And he; cf. vs. 8">d</a></span> asked Abner, “Why did you have sex with my father’s mistress?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>What Ish-bosheth<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:8 Cf. 1Chr 8:33, where he is named Esh-baal; i.e., a man devoted to Baal">e</a></span> said made Abner furious, so he replied, “A dog’s head for Judah—is that what I am? Up until today I’ve kept on showing loyalty to your father Saul’s dynasty, to his relatives and friends, and I haven’t turned you over to David, but you’re charging me today with moral guilt regarding this woman! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Therefore may God do to me<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:9 Lit. to Abner">f</a></span> —and more also!—just as the LORD has promised to David, since I’m doing this for him: <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>I will take away the kingdom from the dynasty of Saul by making the throne of David firm over Israel and Judah—from Dan to Beer-sheba!”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Ish-bosheth<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:11 Lit. he">g</a></span> couldn’t say another word in response to Abner, because he was terrified of him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>So Abner sent messengers to David at Hebron to ask him, “Who owns this land? Cut a deal<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:12 Lit. covenant">h</a></span> with me, and look!—I’ll lend my hand in bringing all of Israel over to you!”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>David replied, “Sounds good to me! I’ll cut a deal<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:13 Lit. covenant">i</a></span> with you under one condition: you’re not to show yourself in my presence unless you bring Saul’s daughter with you when you come to see me.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Then David sent a delegation to Saul’s son Ish-bosheth to say, “Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was engaged with a dowry of 100 Philistine foreskins.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:14 Cf. 1Sam 18:25ff">j</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>So Ish-bosheth ordered that she be taken away from her husband, Laish’s son Paltiel. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Her husband accompanied her, crying as he followed after her all the way to Bahurim, where Abner told him, “Leave! Go back!” So he went back.</p> <p class="heading">David’s Dynasty is Strengthened</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Later, Abner had a talk with the elders of Israel. He said, “In the past you were looking to see David made king over you. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>So do it, then! Because the LORD has said this about David:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">‘Through my servant David I will save my people Israel</p> <p class="poetry2">from the control of the Philistines</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">and from all of their enemies.’”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Abner also addressed the tribe of Benjamin. Furthermore, with David’s permission,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:19 Lit. in the hearing of David; i.e., with David’s tacit knowledge">k</a></span> Abner said anything that seemed like it would be good for Israel and for the entire tribe of Benjamin.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Afterwards, Abner brought 20 soldiers to David at Hebron, and David threw a party for Abner and the men who were with him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>So Abner told David, “Give me permission to go out and rally all of Israel to your majesty the king so they can enter into a formal agreement with you to reign over everything that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner off, and he went away in peace.</p> <p class="heading">Joab Murders Abner</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Right about then, David’s servants returned from a raid, bringing plenty of war booty with them, but Abner wasn’t in Hebron with David, since David<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:22 Lit. he">l</a></span> had sent him away and Abner<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:22 Lit. he">m</a></span> had left in peace. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>When Joab returned with his entire army, Joab was informed, “Ner’s son Abner visited the king, and he has dismissed him. He has left in peace.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>So Joab approached the king and asked him, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you! What’s this? You sent him away? He’s long gone now! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>You know Ner’s son Abner came to mislead you, to learn your troop movements,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:25 Lit. to know your comings and goings">n</a></span> and to learn everything you’re doing!”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>As soon as Joab left David, Joab<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:26 Lit. he">o</a></span> sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern at Sirah, but David was not aware of this. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab brought him aside within the gateway to talk to him alone and then stabbed him in the abdomen.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:27 Lit. him there the fifth; i.e., below the fifth rib">p</a></span> So he died for shedding<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:27 The Heb. lacks shedding">q</a></span> the blood of Joab’s<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:27 Lit. his">r</a></span> brother Asahel.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Later on, David found out about it and proclaimed, “Let me and my kingdom remain guiltless forever in the LORD’s presence for the death<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:28 Lit. blood">s</a></span> of Ner’s son Abner. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>May judgment<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:29 Lit. guilt">t</a></span> rest on Joab’s head and on his father’s entire household. May Joab’s dynasty never be without one who has a discharge,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:29 i.e. one who is ceremonially unfit to serve God; cf. Lev 13:46">u</a></span> who is a leper, who walks with a cane,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:29 Lit. who needs a staff">v</a></span> who commits suicide,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:29 Lit. who falls on a sword">w</a></span> or who lacks food!” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>He said this<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:30 The Heb. lacks He did this">x</a></span> because Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner after he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>David ordered Joab and all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.” King David walked behind the funeral procession, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>and they buried Abner at Hebron. The king wept loudly at Abner’s grave, and all the people wept, too. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>The king composed this mourning song for Abner:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">“Should Abner’s death be like a fool’s?</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>Your hands were not bound,</p> <p class="poetry2">nor were your feet in irons.</p> <p class="poetry2">As one falls before the wicked,</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">you have fallen.”</p> <p class="reg">Then all the people cried again because of him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>Everyone tried to persuade David to have a meal while there was still daylight, but David took an oath by saying, “May God to do like this to me and more, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>Everybody took note of this and was very pleased, just as everything else the king did pleased everyone. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>As a result, the entire army and all of Israel understood that day that the king had nothing to do with the murder of Ner’s son Abner.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>The king reminded his staff,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:38 Lit. servants">y</a></span> “Don’t you know that a prince and a great man has fallen today in Israel? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>Today, even though I’m anointed as king, I’m weak. These men, sons of Zeruiah, are too difficult<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="3:39 Or violent">z</a></span> for me. May the LORD repay the one who acts wickedly in accordance with his wickedness!”</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 3:5 The Heb. lacks <i>all</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 3:7 Or <i>concubine</i>; i.e. a secondary wife; and so throughout the chapter<br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 3:7 The Heb. lacks <i>who was the</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 3:7 Lit. <i>And he</i>; cf. vs. 8<br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 3:8 Cf. 1Chr 8:33, where he is named <i>Esh-baal</i>; i.e., a man devoted to Baal<br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 3:9 Lit. <i>to Abner</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 3:11 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 3:12 Lit. <i>covenant</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 3:13 Lit. <i>covenant</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 3:14 Cf. 1Sam 18:25ff<br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 3:19 Lit. <i>in the hearing of David</i>; i.e., with David’s tacit knowledge<br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 3:22 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 3:22 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 3:25 Lit. <i>to know your comings and goings</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 3:26 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 3:27 Lit. <i>him there the fifth</i>; i.e., below the fifth rib<br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 3:27 The Heb. lacks <i>shedding</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 3:27 Lit. <i>his</i><br /><span class="fnb">s</span> 3:28 Lit. <i>blood</i><br /><span class="fnb">t</span> 3:29 Lit. <i>guilt</i><br /><span class="fnb">u</span> 3:29 i.e. one who is ceremonially unfit to serve God; cf. 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