2 Samuel 3:12

Translations

Modern

Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”

Traditional

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.

Literal

And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “To whom is the land?” And saying, “Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand is with you to make turn to you all Israel.”

Latin

Misit ergo Abner nuntios ad David pro se dicentes: Cujus est terra? et ut loquerentur: Fac mecum amicitias, et erit manus mea tecum, et reducam ad te universum Israël.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”

Notes

2 Samuel 3:12

In the proposed solemn pact (or covenant), Abner acknowledged that David would become king. Abner may have hoped to serve as David’s chief leader under him (that is, second in authority).

2 Samuel 3:1–39

The house of David (David’s family line and those loyal to his rule) grew stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker. A key turning point came when Abner, who held the real political power among Saul’s followers, changed his loyalty to David. When Abner did this, many of his relatives from the northern tribes followed him.

Theme notes and profiles

Abner David Joab

Events

Reign of David

Related verses

1 Chronicles 12:38–40
All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king.
2 Samuel 19:6
You love those who hate you and hate those who love you! For you have made it clear today that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would have pleased you!
2 Samuel 19:41–20:13
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?”
Matthew 21:8–10
A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
2 Samuel 3:21
Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once, and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.
Psalm 62:9
Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.
1 Chronicles 11:1–3
Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.
2 Samuel 5:1–3
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.
2 Samuel 19:14
So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man, and they sent word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants.”
Luke 16:5–8
And he called in each one of his master’s debtors. ‘How much do you owe my master?’ he asked the first.

People

Abner: Saul's cousin and commander of his army David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Abner David Ishbosheth Joab Michal Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Abner: Alienation of, from the House of Saul Conspiracy: Abner, Against Ish-Bosheth Ish-Bosheth: Deserted by Abner Treason of Abner Against Ish-Bosheth

2 Samuel 3:12

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

People

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics