King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from [pursuing] a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner [was] not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Just then David's men and Yo'av returned from a raid, bringing a lot of plunder with them. But Avner was not with David in Hevron, because he had sent him off under safe conduct.
Berean Standard Bible:
Just then David’s soldiers and Joab returned from a raid, bringing with them a great plunder. But Abner was not with David in Hebron because David had sent him on his way in peace.
American Standard Version:
And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And, behold, the servants{H5650} of David{H1732} and Joab{H3097} came{H935} from pursuing a troop{H1416}, and brought in{H935} a great{H7227} spoil{H7998} with them: but Abner{H74} was not with David{H1732} in Hebron{H2275}; for he had sent him away{H7971}, and he was gone{H3212} in peace{H7965}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for 2 Samuel 3:22
2 Samuel 3:22 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the succession struggle following the death of King Saul and the eventual rise of David to the throne of Israel. The verse captures a moment in the complex political landscape where David is consolidating his power. Here's a summary of the themes and historical context:
In the historical context, David is recognized as the anointed successor to Saul, but his path to the throne is not straightforward. He initially rules over Judah from Hebron while Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, reigns over the rest of Israel, with Abner, Saul's cousin and military commander, as the power behind the throne. The verse reflects the shifting allegiances and military maneuvers characteristic of the time.
The theme of loyalty and treachery is central to this verse. Abner, once a staunch supporter of Saul's house, has been negotiating with David, indicating a significant political realignment. The verse mentions that Abner is not with David in Hebron, which is notable because it was Abner who had been instrumental in bolstering David's position by bringing the elders of Israel to him (as seen in 2 Samuel 3:17-19). The fact that Abner had been sent away and departed "in peace" suggests a formal parting, possibly after concluding some agreement, which is confirmed in the subsequent verses where Abner pledges to secure all Israel for David.
The returning servants of David and Joab, David's nephew and military commander, with a great spoil, indicates successful military campaigns, which would have increased David's prestige and resources, further solidifying his position. However, the peace between David and Abner is short-lived, as Joab, holding a personal grudge against Abner for killing his brother Asahel, will soon act to undermine this alliance by treacherously murdering Abner (2 Samuel 3:27).
In summary, 2 Samuel 3:22 captures a moment of transition and tension in the succession narrative, highlighting the themes of loyalty, power struggles, and the complex interplay of political and personal motives that characterized the period of David's rise to power over a united Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H1732
There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּוִד
Transliteration: Dâvid
Pronunciation: daw-veed'
Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. - Strong's Number: H3097
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹאָב
Transliteration: Yôwʼâb
Pronunciation: yo-awb'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and אָב; Jehovah-fathered; Joab, the name of three Israelites; Joab. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H1416
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גְּדוּד
Transliteration: gᵉdûwd
Pronunciation: ghed-ood'
Description: from גָּדַד; a crowd (especially of soldiers); army, band (of men), company, troop (of robbers). - Strong's Number: H7227
There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַב
Transliteration: rab
Pronunciation: rab
Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). - Strong's Number: H7998
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלָל
Transliteration: shâlâl
Pronunciation: shaw-lawl'
Description: from שָׁלַל; booty; prey, spoil. - Strong's Number: H74
There are 1865 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַבְנֵר
Transliteration: ʼAbnêr
Pronunciation: ab-nare'
Description: or (fully) אֲבִינֵר ; from אָב and נִיר; father of light (i.e. enlightening); Abner, an Israelite; Abner. - Strong's Number: H2275
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֶבְרוֹן
Transliteration: Chebrôwn
Pronunciation: kheb-rone'
Description: from חֶבֶר; seat of association; Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites; Hebron. - Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H7965
There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלוֹם
Transliteration: shâlôwm
Pronunciation: shaw-lome'
Description: or שָׁלֹם; from שָׁלַם; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace; [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly.