2 Samuel 3:17

KJV

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past [to be] king over you:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Abner {H74} had communication {H1961}{H1697} with the elders {H2205} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, Ye sought {H1245} for David {H1732} in times {H8543} past {H8032} to be king {H4428} over you:

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Avner conferred with the leaders of Isra'el. He said, "In the past, you wanted David to be king over you.

Berean Standard Bible

Now Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “In the past you sought David as your king.

American Standard Version

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, In times past ye sought for David to be king over you:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 3:17 captures a pivotal moment in the protracted civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David. It records Abner, the formidable commander of Saul's army and the most influential figure supporting Ish-bosheth, initiating crucial communication with the respected elders of Israel. In this strategic overture, Abner reminds them of their prior inclination and desire for David to be their king, thereby meticulously laying the groundwork for the eventual unification of all Israel under David's long-awaited and divinely ordained rule.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of the "long war" between the two rival houses, a conflict explicitly introduced in [2 Samuel 3:1](/2_samuel/3-1 "2 Samuel 3:1 - The Long War Between Saul's and David's Houses"). Immediately prior to this, Abner experiences a profound personal and political rupture with Ish-bosheth, stemming from an accusation regarding Rizpah, one of Saul's concubines. This dispute serves as the direct catalyst for Abner's decisive shift in allegiance, prompting his commitment to transfer the entire kingdom to David (as detailed in [2 Samuel 3:6-11](/2_samuel/3-6-11 "2 Samuel 3:6-11 - Abner's Dispute with Ish-bosheth and Oath to David")). Verse 17 marks the commencement of Abner's active and calculated efforts to persuade the northern tribes, through their influential elders, to accept David's kingship. This communication represents the critical first step in a series of negotiations that will ultimately lead to David's anointing as king over all Israel, although Abner himself will tragically be assassinated before witnessing the full realization of his efforts.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following the catastrophic deaths of King Saul and his sons at Mount Gilboa, Israel found itself in a state of profound political fragmentation and leadership vacuum. The northern tribes, largely under Abner's sway, had hastily crowned Saul's surviving son, Ish-bosheth, as their king in Mahanaim, while the tribe of Judah had already anointed David as their king in Hebron. This period was characterized by a bitter civil war, marked by skirmishes and a struggle for legitimate authority over the entire nation. The "elders of Israel" were not merely elderly individuals but highly respected and influential tribal leaders, representing the collective wisdom, authority, and will of their respective communities. Their consent and allegiance were absolutely paramount for legitimizing any king's rule over the entire nation. Abner's appeal to their "times past" desire for David likely harks back to David's immense popularity as a military hero and anointed figure before Saul's descent into jealousy, and perhaps even to the widely known divine anointing of David by Samuel, which would have resonated deeply with the elders (see [1 Samuel 16:12-13](/1_samuel/16-12-13 "1 Samuel 16:12-13 - David Anointed by Samuel")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of 2 Samuel. Firstly, it vividly illustrates the theme of **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Affairs**, demonstrating how God's long-ordained plan for David's kingship is meticulously brought to fruition, even through the complex, often self-serving, and morally ambiguous actions of human agents like Abner. Secondly, it underscores the critical theme of **Unification and National Identity**, as Abner's strategic efforts represent a crucial step towards healing the deep political and tribal divisions that had plagued Israel since Saul's death. The desire for a unified kingdom under a single, divinely appointed leader was a deep-seated aspiration. Finally, the verse touches upon the **Legitimacy of Kingship**, emphasizing that for David's rule to be truly accepted and embraced by all Israel, it required not only divine appointment but also the recognition and willing consent of the people, represented by their elders, echoing a long-standing, often suppressed, desire for David as their rightful and capable leader.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Communication (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This highly versatile Hebrew term (דָּבָר, H1697) extends far beyond mere casual conversation. It encompasses "word," "matter," "thing," "affair," or "message." In the context of 2 Samuel 3:17, it signifies a weighty, purposeful discussion, a strategic proposition, or a deliberate negotiation. Abner was not engaging in idle chatter but presenting a compelling case, leveraging his significant authority and the elders' pre-existing inclinations towards David to effect a major political shift.
* **Elders (Hebrew, _zâqên'_):** The term (זָקֵן, H2205) refers to the respected, typically older, male leaders who served as representatives and decision-makers for their families, clans, and tribes. These "elders" held substantial social, political, and even religious authority within ancient Israelite society. Their collective agreement and endorsement were absolutely essential for any national undertaking, particularly one as momentous as the transfer of loyalty from one king to another and the unification of the kingdom.
* **Sought (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** The verb (בָּקַשׁ, H1245) implies a past active desire, a diligent searching, a request, or even a striving after. Abner's use of this word suggests that the idea of David as king was not a novel or imposed concept but something the elders had previously considered, desired, or perhaps even actively pursued. This rhetorical move by Abner served to legitimize his proposal by framing it as a fulfillment of their own prior inclination and a return to what they inherently knew was right or divinely intended.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel":** This clause immediately establishes Abner's initiative and his strategic, deliberate approach. As the most powerful and influential figure in Ish-bosheth's northern kingdom, Abner's direct engagement with the elders signals a monumental shift in the political landscape. His "communication" is a calculated act of persuasion, aimed at securing the crucial support of these key tribal leaders for David's kingship. It highlights his political acumen and his decisive break from Ish-bosheth.
* **"saying, Ye sought for David in times past [to be] king over you":** This constitutes the core of Abner's argument and his rhetorical strategy. By reminding the elders of their previous desire, recognition, or even active pursuit of David as king, Abner appeals to their collective memory and perhaps to a latent sense of missed opportunity or unfulfilled divine promise. This framing makes the transition to David's rule appear not as a sudden, opportunistic betrayal, but as a natural, even long-overdue, progression that aligns with their own earlier convictions and the divine will.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Rhetorical Appeal**, as Abner strategically reminds the elders of Israel of their past inclinations towards David. This appeal to a shared memory and a pre-existing consensus serves to legitimize his proposal and smooth the path for David's ascendancy, making the transition seem like a natural culmination rather than an abrupt change. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing**, as Abner's words and actions here directly set the stage for the eventual, long-awaited unification of all Israel under David's kingship, a major turning point and the central narrative arc of the book. Furthermore, the situation contains a profound **Irony**: Abner, who has been David's fiercest and most formidable adversary for years, now becomes his most ardent advocate, driven not by newfound loyalty to David but by personal slight, wounded pride, and astute political pragmatism. This unexpected shift highlights the complex interplay of human will and divine purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the intricate interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. While Abner's decision to switch allegiance was undeniably motivated by personal pique, wounded pride, and political calculation, it undeniably served God's overarching purpose to establish David as king over all Israel—a promise made long before (e.g., [1 Samuel 16:1-13](/1_samuel/16-1-13 "1 Samuel 16:1-13 - Samuel Anoints David")). God frequently uses imperfect, even morally ambiguous, human actions and complex circumstances to bring about His perfect and righteous will. The long, drawn-out civil war was a period of testing, purification, and waiting for David and the nation, but God's plan for David's kingship was unshakeable. Circumstances were now aligning for its fulfillment, demonstrating that God is actively at work even in the midst of human conflict, political maneuvering, and personal motivations, guiding history towards His intended, glorious ends.

* [1 Samuel 16:12](/1_samuel/16-12 "David Anointed by Samuel")
* [2 Samuel 5:3](/2_samuel/5-3 "David Anointed King Over All Israel")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "The King's Heart in the Hand of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 2 Samuel 3:17 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, encouraging us to cultivate patience and unwavering trust in God's perfect timing. Just as God's plan for David's kingship unfolded over years of civil war, division, and complex human interactions, our own lives and the broader purposes of God may require seasons of waiting, navigating complexity, and even apparent delay. We are called to diligently discern God's will and courageously align ourselves with it, even when it demands significant shifts in perspective or difficult transitions, much like the elders were reminded of their past inclination towards David. Furthermore, Abner's instrumental role highlights the profound power of influence and leadership; whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, we possess the opportunity to strategically communicate and act in ways that can pave the way for God's purposes, recognizing that He can sovereignly use a diverse array of individuals and circumstances, even those with mixed motives, to achieve His divine ends.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage encourage us to trust in God's timing, even when His plans seem delayed or complicated by human conflict and political maneuvering?**
* **In what ways might we, like the elders, have a "past desire" or an intuitive sense of God's will that we need to fully embrace and courageously act upon in our present circumstances?**
* **How can we, in our various spheres of influence, strategically communicate and act to align with God's purposes, even when it requires difficult shifts in allegiance or challenging conversations?**

### FAQ
**Why did Abner suddenly switch allegiance to David?**

Answer: Abner's decision was primarily triggered by a deep personal insult and a direct challenge to his authority from Ish-bosheth. Ish-bosheth accused Abner of having relations with Rizpah, one of Saul's concubines, which in ancient Israel was a highly provocative act, often interpreted as an attempt to claim the throne (see [2 Samuel 3:7](/2_samuel/3-7 "2 Samuel 3:7 - Ish-bosheth Accuses Abner")). Abner, enraged by this public accusation and the perceived slight to his honor, swore a solemn oath to transfer the entire kingdom from the house of Saul to David. While personal offense was the immediate catalyst, Abner also likely possessed the political acumen to recognize the inevitable decline of Saul's house and David's undeniable, divinely favored ascendancy, making a strategic move to secure his own future and influence within the emerging new regime.

**Who were the "elders of Israel" and why were they so important?**

Answer: The "elders of Israel" were the highly respected, typically older, male leaders of families, clans, and tribes throughout the northern kingdom. They constituted the primary governing body and held significant social, political, and religious authority, acting as representatives and spokesmen for their respective communities. Their approval, consent, and collective endorsement were absolutely essential for any major national decision, including the appointment or recognition of a king. Their agreement conferred legitimacy upon a ruler and was crucial for ensuring the unity and cooperation of the diverse tribes, as vividly demonstrated when David was finally anointed king over all Israel by these very elders in [2 Samuel 5:3](/2_samuel/5-3 "2 Samuel 5:3 - David Anointed King Over All Israel").

**What does "Ye sought for David in times past" refer to?**

Answer: This phrase likely refers to the period before Saul's intense jealousy overshadowed David's widespread popularity. David was a celebrated military hero, beloved by the people for his astonishing victories against the Philistines, especially after his triumph over Goliath (see [1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - The Women's Song of David's Victories")). His charisma, leadership, and military prowess had already earned him immense favor among the populace. Furthermore, David had been secretly anointed king by Samuel long before he ascended to any throne (see [1 Samuel 16:12-13](/1_sumuel/16-12-13 "1 Samuel 16:12-13 - David Anointed by Samuel")), a fact that may have been known or rumored among the influential leaders, indicating a divine favor and inherent suitability for kingship that the elders had recognized and perhaps even desired during those earlier, more hopeful times.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The long and arduous process of unifying Israel under David's kingship, culminating in Abner's strategic appeal to the elders, serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate, perfect kingship of Jesus Christ. David, though divinely chosen and anointed, was an imperfect king who came to power through conflict, political maneuvering, and even personal failings. Yet, his reign brought a measure of unity and peace to a divided nation, establishing the royal line from which the Messiah would ultimately come. In the New Testament, we discover that humanity is far more deeply divided by sin and spiritual rebellion than Israel was by tribal loyalties, and our innate longing for a perfect ruler, a true shepherd, is ultimately and completely fulfilled in Jesus. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"). Unlike David, who established an earthly kingdom that would eventually crumble, Jesus proclaimed that [His kingdom is not of this world](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World"), yet it is a spiritual kingdom that gathers people from every tribe, tongue, and nation into an eternal, unified family (see [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - The Multitude from Every Nation")). He is the one who truly reconciles all things to Himself, bringing ultimate peace, spiritual unity, and eternal redemption to His people, fulfilling the ancient desire for a perfect, righteous King who reigns forever (see [Ephesians 1:9-10](/ephesians/1-9-10 "Ephesians 1:9-10 - The Mystery of God's Will") and [Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ Reconciles All Things")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.