aThe list of David’s wives and sons in vv. 2–5 differs somewhat from the parallel list in 1 Chron. 3.1–3. The narrative in v. 1 is resumed in v. 6. Sons were born to David in Hebron: His first-born was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel;
Abner was very upset by what Ish-bosheth said, and he replied, “Am I a dog’s head from Judah?bfrom Judah Meaning of Heb. uncertain. Here I have been loyally serving the House of your father Saul and his kin and friends, and I have not betrayed you into the hands of David; yet this day—over this woman—you reproach me!
Abner immediatelycimmediately Meaning of Heb. uncertain. sent messengers to David, saying, “To whom shall the land belong?” and to say [further],d“To whom shall the land belong?” and to say [further] Meaning of Heb. uncertain. “Make a pact with me, and I will help you and bring all Israel over to your side.”
He replied, “Good; I will make a pact with you. But I make one demand upon you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come before me.”
David also sent messengers to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, to say, “Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid the bride-priceebride-price Cf. Exod. 22.15; Deut. 20.7; 22.23–29. of one hundred Philistine foreskins.”fone hundred Philistine foreskins Cf. 1 Sam. 18.27 (where the number is given as “two hundred”).
Word-by-Word Analysis
וישלח
354
דוד
14
מלאכים
141
אלאישבשת
1044
בןשאול
389
לאמר
271
תנה
455
אתאשתי
1112
אתמיכל
501
אשר
501
ארשתי
911
לי
40
במאה
48
ערלות
706
פלשתים
860
II Samuel 3:15
Gematria: 2995
וישלחאישבשתויקחהמעםאישמעםפלטיאלבןלישלוש
So Ish-bosheth sent and had her taken away from [her] husband,g[her] husband As in the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Targum. Or “the other man involved.” Cf. 1 Sam. 25.44. Paltiel son of Laish.
Now act! For GOD has said concerning David: I will deliverhI will deliver So many mss. and versions; most mss. and editions have “[God] has delivered.” My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and all its other enemies through My servant David.”
Abner said to David, “Now I will go and rally all Israel to Your Majesty. They will make a pact with you, and you can reign over all that your heart desires.” And David dismissed Abner, who went away unharmed.
Just then David’s soldiers and Joab returned from a raid, bringing much plunder with them; Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, for he had been dismissed and had gone away unharmed.
When Joab and the whole force with him arrived, Joab was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king, had been dismissed by him, and had gone away unharmed.
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside within the gate to talk to him privately;iprivately Meaning of Heb. uncertain. there he struck him in the belly. Thus [Abner] died for shedding the blood of Asahel, Joab’sjJoab’s Heb. “his.” brother.
May [the guilt] fall upon the head of Joab and all his father’s house. May the house of Joab never be without someone suffering from a discharge or an eruption, or a male who handles the spindle,ka male who handles the spindle I.e., doing only what would have been viewed as women’s work. or one slain by the sword, or one lacking bread.”—
David then ordered Joab and all the troops with him to rend their clothes, gird on sackcloth, and make lament before Abner;lbefore Abner I.e., in the procession for Abner. and King David himself walked behind the bier.
Your hands were not bound,Your feet were not put in fetters;But you fell as one fallsBefore treacherous men!”And all the troops continued to weep over him.
All the troops came to urge David to eat something while it was still day; but David swore, “May God do thus to me and more if I eat bread or anything else before sundown.”
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויבא
19
כלהעם
165
להברות
643
אתדוד
415
לחם
78
בעוד
82
היום
61
וישבע
388
דוד
14
לאמר
271
כה
25
יעשהלי
425
אלהים
86
וכה
31
יסיף
160
כי
30
אםלפני
211
בואהשמש
654
אטעםלחם
198
או
7
כלמאומה
142
II Samuel 3:36
Gematria: 2001
וכלהעםהכירווייטבבעיניהםככלאשרעשההמלךבעיניכלהעםטוב
All the troops took note of itmtook note of it Meaning of Heb. uncertain. and approved, just as all the troops approved everything else the king did.njust as … king did Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
And today I am weak, even though anointed king; those involved, the sons of Zeruiah, are too savage for me. May GOD requite the wicked for their wickedness!”