2 Samuel 3:20

KJV

So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that [were] with him a feast.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Abner {H74} came {H935} to David {H1732} to Hebron {H2275}, and twenty {H6242} men {H582} with him. And David {H1732} made {H6213} Abner {H74} and the men {H582} that were with him a feast {H4960}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Avner came to David in Hevron he brought twenty men with him. David held a feast for Avner and his men.

Berean Standard Bible

When Abner and twenty of his men came to David at Hebron, David held a feast for them.

American Standard Version

So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 3:20 details a pivotal moment in the unification of Israel, as Abner, the former commander of Saul's army and chief supporter of Ish-bosheth, arrives in Hebron to meet with King David. David's immediate response of hosting a grand feast for Abner and his twenty accompanying men serves as a powerful gesture of reconciliation, hospitality, and strategic diplomacy, signaling a crucial step towards ending the protracted civil war and consolidating the kingdom under David's rule.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a significant shift in the narrative of 2 Samuel. Following the death of Saul and Jonathan, a civil war had raged between the house of David (ruling Judah from Hebron) and the house of Saul, led by Ish-bosheth and his powerful general, Abner (ruling the northern tribes). Chapter 3 begins by noting the protracted nature of this conflict, with David's house growing stronger and Saul's house weaker. Abner, feeling insulted and betrayed by Ish-bosheth over the matter of Rizpah, decides to switch his allegiance. He initiates contact with David, promising to "bring all Israel" to him [2 Samuel 3:12](/2_samuel/3-12 "2 Samuel 3:12 - Abner's Offer to David"). David, ever the astute leader, sets a condition: Abner must bring Michal, Saul's daughter and David's former wife, back to him [2 Samuel 3:13](/2_samuel/3-13 "2 Samuel 3:13 - David's Condition for Meeting Abner"). Verses 17-19 describe Abner's successful efforts to persuade the elders of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin to accept David as king, emphasizing that this was the Lord's will. Thus, 2 Samuel 3:20 marks the tangible, physical arrival of Abner in David's capital, ready to formalize this monumental transition, setting the stage for the full unification of the kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period following Saul's death was one of political fragmentation and instability. The division between Judah and the northern tribes was deep-seated, rooted in tribal loyalties and the recent civil war. Hebron, David's capital at this time, was a significant ancient city, strategically located and steeped in patriarchal history. In the ancient Near East, the act of "making a feast" or sharing a meal was far more than a casual social event; it was a deeply significant ritual. Feasts were often used to seal covenants, demonstrate reconciliation, establish alliances, or affirm loyalty. To share food, especially a lavish banquet, with a former adversary was a profound gesture of peace, trust, and acceptance. It publicly signaled the end of hostilities and the beginning of a new relationship, often implying a shared future and mutual commitment. The inclusion of "twenty men" with Abner indicates that this was not a secret or informal meeting, but a formal delegation, underscoring Abner's status and the gravity of the diplomatic encounter.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, **Reconciliation and Peacemaking** are central, as David extends hospitality to a former enemy, paving the way for unity rather than continued conflict. This reflects a divine principle of seeking peace, as seen in the wisdom literature where the Lord can make even enemies at peace with a person [Proverbs 16:7](/proverbs/16-7 "Proverbs 16:7 - When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."). Secondly, **Strategic Leadership and Diplomacy** are evident in David's handling of Abner. Instead of treating him as a defeated foe or a mere defector, David honors him, recognizing Abner's immense influence and crucial role in securing the northern tribes' allegiance. David's actions demonstrate a pragmatic wisdom focused on achieving the greater goal of national unity. Thirdly, the **Unification of Israel** is the overarching narrative goal, and this meeting is a critical step. Abner's defection and his ability to sway the northern tribes were indispensable to bringing about the single kingdom prophesied for David. Finally, the theme of **Hospitality as a Tool for Relationship Building** is highlighted. David's feast underscores how acts of generosity and welcome can disarm tension, build trust, and facilitate profound political and spiritual progress, embodying the importance of welcoming the stranger or former adversary into one's fold, a concept often found throughout the Old Testament narratives, such as Abraham's hospitality to the angels in [Genesis 18](/genesis/18 "Genesis 18 - Abraham's Hospitality").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feast (Hebrew, _mishteh'_):** The Hebrew word מִשְׁתֶּה (_mishteh_) denotes more than a simple meal; it refers to a banquet, a drinking party, or a celebration. It often carries connotations of joy, festivity, and, significantly, the sealing of agreements or the establishment of a covenant. For instance, Isaac made a feast for Abimelech when they made a covenant in [Genesis 26:30](/genesis/26-30 "Genesis 26:30 - Isaac's Feast for Abimelech"). Its use here signifies that David's act was not merely polite but a formal, public, and symbolic gesture of acceptance, reconciliation, and the initiation of a new, unified relationship. It was a ceremonial act designed to solidify Abner's allegiance and the impending unification.
* **Came (Hebrew, _bo'_):** The verb בּוֹא (_bo'_) means "to come" or "to enter." While a common verb, its application here emphasizes Abner's active role in initiating this crucial meeting. He "came" to David, signifying his submission to David's authority and his commitment to fulfilling his promise to bring Israel under David's kingship. This highlights Abner's agency in the political shift.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Abner came to David to Hebron":** This clause establishes the primary action and setting. Abner's arrival in Hebron, David's capital, signifies his direct engagement with David and his willingness to transition allegiance. It is a physical manifestation of the political negotiations and promises made in the preceding verses, marking the point of no return for Abner's defection from Ish-bosheth.
* **"and twenty men with him":** The detail of "twenty men" underscores the formal and public nature of Abner's visit. This was not a clandestine meeting but a delegation of significant size, befitting Abner's status as a former commander and a key political figure. It lent legitimacy and weight to the proceedings, indicating that Abner was not acting alone but with a retinue that affirmed his authority and the seriousness of his mission.
* **"And David made Abner and the men that [were] with him a feast":** This is David's immediate and strategic response. The act of "making a feast" (as discussed in Key Word Analysis) is a powerful gesture of hospitality, reconciliation, and acceptance. It publicly demonstrates David's willingness to forgive past hostilities, embrace Abner as an ally, and formally welcome him and his delegation into his court. This act was crucial for building trust and laying the groundwork for the unification of the kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Symbolism**, primarily through the "feast." The act of sharing a meal, especially a lavish one, transcends its literal meaning to symbolize reconciliation, the forging of new alliances, and the establishment of peace after a period of bitter conflict. It is a powerful visual and communal representation of David's acceptance of Abner and the impending unity of the kingdom. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing** in this scene; the peaceful feast between former adversaries hints at the successful unification of Israel under David's reign that is soon to follow, despite the tragic events that will immediately precede it. Furthermore, the scene presents a subtle **Contrast** between the bloody civil war that has defined the previous chapters and this moment of peaceful, celebratory interaction, highlighting the shift towards a new era.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal encounter in 2 Samuel 3:20 resonates with profound theological truths about reconciliation, divine sovereignty, and the nature of true peace. David's act of making a feast for Abner, a former adversary, mirrors God's own initiative to reconcile humanity to Himself. Just as David extended grace and hospitality to bring about unity, God, through Christ, offers reconciliation to those who were once His enemies, drawing them into a covenant relationship. This moment underscores that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the active pursuit of unity and restoration, often requiring intentional acts of grace and hospitality.

* [Proverbs 16:7](/proverbs/16-7 "Proverbs 16:7 - When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.")
* [Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.")
* [Matthew 5:23-24](/matthew/5-23-24 "Matthew 5:23-24 - Reconciliation before worship")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene of David making a feast for Abner offers a timeless blueprint for navigating conflict and fostering unity in our own lives, communities, and even nations. It challenges us to move beyond mere cessation of hostilities to active, intentional acts of reconciliation. David did not just tolerate Abner; he honored him with a feast, demonstrating a willingness to invest in a new relationship built on trust and shared purpose. This teaches us that true peace often requires us to extend grace, humility, and genuine hospitality to those with whom we have been at odds, even when it feels counter-intuitive or risky. It calls us to prioritize the greater good of unity over personal grievances or past wrongs, recognizing that strategic acts of kindness can disarm tension and open doors for profound transformation. In our leadership roles, whether in family, church, or workplace, David's example reminds us that effective leadership is not just about power, but about building bridges, fostering loyalty through respect, and creating environments where former divisions can be healed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you called to extend reconciliation and hospitality to a "former adversary" or someone with whom you have conflict?**
* **How can acts of genuine hospitality, even simple ones, disarm tension and build trust in difficult relationships?**
* **What might it look like to prioritize unity and the "greater good" over personal pride or past grievances in a current conflict?**
* **How does David's strategic leadership in this verse inform your approach to leadership in your own sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**Why did Abner, a powerful general who had fought against David, suddenly come to him?**

Answer: Abner's decision to come to David was multifaceted. Primarily, it stemmed from a profound insult he received from Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, regarding Rizpah, one of Saul's concubines. Ish-bosheth accused Abner of having sexual relations with her, an act that could be interpreted as a claim to the throne. This accusation wounded Abner's pride and gave him a pretext to shift his allegiance. Furthermore, Abner recognized that the house of Saul was weakening and that God's favor was clearly with David, as he told the elders of Israel in [2 Samuel 3:9-10](/2_samuel/3-9-10 "2 Samuel 3:9-10 - Abner's Justification for Defection"). He shrewdly saw an opportunity to fulfill God's promise to David and secure a prominent position for himself in the new unified kingdom.

**What was the significance of David making a "feast" for Abner and his men?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, a "feast" (Hebrew: _mishteh_) was far more than a casual meal. It was a formal, public, and highly symbolic act. By hosting a feast, David was not just being polite; he was extending a profound gesture of reconciliation, acceptance, and honor. It publicly signaled the end of hostilities between the two factions and the beginning of a new relationship, often implying the sealing of a covenant or a formal alliance. It was a powerful way to build trust, integrate Abner and his men, and demonstrate David's magnanimity and strategic wisdom in welcoming a powerful former adversary into his fold, thereby facilitating the unification of Israel.

**Why is the detail "and twenty men with him" included in the verse?**

Answer: The mention of "twenty men" highlights the formal and official nature of Abner's visit. This was not a secret rendezvous or a solitary defection, but a delegation of significant size, underscoring Abner's status as a powerful leader who commanded respect and a retinue. It lent legitimacy and public visibility to the proceedings, ensuring that the reconciliation and the subsequent negotiations for unification were witnessed and understood as a significant political event, rather than a mere personal meeting. It emphasized the weight and authority Abner carried in his mission to bring Israel to David.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The reconciliation and hospitality displayed by David in 2 Samuel 3:20, though imperfect and ultimately complicated by Abner's tragic death, powerfully foreshadow the ultimate and perfect reconciliation offered through Jesus Christ. David, as king, extended an invitation to a former enemy to share a meal, symbolizing peace and unity. This finds its supreme fulfillment in Christ, the true King, who, by His sacrificial death, broke down the dividing wall of hostility between God and humanity, and between Jew and Gentile [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace"). He did not merely invite His enemies to a feast but became the feast, offering His body and blood as the means of reconciliation. Through Him, God was pleased to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace by the blood of His cross [Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation through Christ"). Christ's ultimate act of hospitality is seen in His invitation to His table, the Lord's Supper, where He communes with those who were once alienated from God. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and through Him, we are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb [Revelation 19:9](/rev/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"), a glorious feast of eternal reconciliation and communion. Just as David welcomed Abner, Christ welcomes all who come to Him, transforming enemies into adopted children and co-heirs, celebrating their return with a feast, much like the father in the parable of the prodigal son [Luke 15:23](/luke/15-23 "Luke 15:23 - The Fatted Calf for the Prodigal Son").

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.

Cross-References

Genesis 31:54

Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

Genesis 26:30

And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.

Esther 1:3

In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him: