2 Samuel 3:25

KJV

Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou knowest {H3045} Abner {H74} the son {H1121} of Ner {H5369}, that he came {H935} to deceive {H6601} thee, and to know {H3045} thy going out {H4161} and thy coming in {H4126}{H3996}, and to know {H3045} all that thou doest {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You know Avner the son of Ner - he came only to deceive you, to learn what campaigns you're planning and to find out everything you're doing!"

Berean Standard Bible

Surely you realize that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to track your movements and all that you are doing.”

American Standard Version

Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse captures Joab's urgent and vehement warning to King David regarding Abner, the former commander of Saul's army. Joab, deeply suspicious and driven by both political acumen and personal vengeance, asserts that Abner's recent visit was not a genuine overture of peace or allegiance but a calculated act of espionage. He accuses Abner of seeking to gather comprehensive intelligence on David's movements, plans, and vulnerabilities, framing Abner as a deceiver whose true intentions remained hostile to David's burgeoning kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a highly volatile period of transition and civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David. Immediately preceding this warning, Abner, having fallen out with Ish-bosheth (Saul's son), had initiated peace talks with David, promising to unite all Israel under his rule. David had just dismissed Abner in peace, seemingly accepting his overtures. Joab's intervention here is critical; he confronts David upon his return, expressing outrage and mistrust. This warning directly foreshadows the tragic assassination of Abner by Joab, driven by a combination of political apprehension and personal revenge for Abner's killing of Joab's brother, Asahel, earlier in the conflict, as detailed in [2 Samuel 2:23](/2_samuel/2-23 "2 Samuel 2:23 - Abner Kills Asahel"). The verse thus serves as a pivotal moment, highlighting the deep-seated animosities and political machinations that define this chapter and ultimately lead to Abner's demise in [2 Samuel 3:27](/2_samuel/3-27 "2 Samuel 3:27 - Joab Kills Abner").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in 2 Samuel is one of protracted civil war and the consolidation of power under David, following the death of King Saul. The land was divided, with loyalties split between the remnants of Saul's house (led by Ish-bosheth and initially commanded by Abner) and David's growing kingdom in Hebron. In ancient Near Eastern societies, military commanders held immense power and influence, often acting as de facto political leaders. Blood feuds, like the one between Joab and Abner stemming from Asahel's death, were a deeply ingrained cultural norm, demanding retribution. Furthermore, intelligence gathering was a crucial aspect of ancient warfare and statecraft. Knowing an opponent's "going out and coming in"—their movements, resources, and strategic intentions—was paramount for survival and victory. Joab's warning reflects the intense suspicion inherent in such a fractured political landscape, where alliances could shift rapidly and deception was a common tactic.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent in 2 Samuel. **Suspicion and Distrust** are paramount, as Joab's words reveal a profound lack of faith in Abner's stated intentions, viewing his peace overtures as a cunning ruse. This highlights the pervasive **Political Intrigue and Maneuvering** characteristic of the era, where power was constantly contested. The phrase "to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest" underscores the vital role of **Strategic Intelligence and Espionage** in ancient conflict, emphasizing the perceived threat of Abner gathering critical information about David's operations and vulnerabilities. Finally, the underlying tension points to the theme of **Unresolved Conflict and Personal Vengeance**, as Joab's animosity towards Abner, rooted in the death of his brother, directly influences his interpretation of Abner's actions and ultimately drives the tragic events that follow, demonstrating how personal grievances could profoundly impact national politics, as seen throughout [2 Samuel 3](/2_samuel/3 "2 Samuel 3 - The Long War Between the House of Saul and the House of David").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deceive (Hebrew, _nāšā'_):** This verb (נָשָׁא) carries the meaning "to beguile, mislead, lead astray, or entice." In this context, Joab asserts that Abner's visit was not genuine but aimed at tricking David for his own purposes, or perhaps for the continued benefit of the house of Saul. It implies a deliberate act of misdirection, where Abner's outward display of peace masked an ulterior, potentially hostile, motive.
* **Going out and coming in (Hebrew, _yetzhi'at'kha u'vo'akha'_):** This is a well-known Hebrew idiom (יְצִאָתְךָ וּבוֹאֲךָ) that signifies one's entire conduct, activities, or movements, encompassing all aspects of life and operations. It often implies a comprehensive knowledge of a person's affairs, freedom of movement, or the totality of their public and private life. For example, it is used in [Psalm 121:8](/psalm/121-8 "Psalm 121:8 - The Lord Will Keep Your Going Out and Your Coming In") to describe God's comprehensive protection over one's life journey. Here, in Joab's warning, it emphasizes the totality of the intelligence Abner was allegedly seeking: not just a single piece of information, but a full understanding of David's strategic capacity and vulnerability.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yāda'_):** The verb (יָדַע) means "to know, to perceive, to understand, to discern." In this context, it implies a deep, comprehensive, and intimate knowledge, not merely superficial acquaintance. Joab's accusation suggests that Abner sought to gain a thorough intelligence profile of David's operations, resources, and vulnerabilities, enabling him to exploit them later.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner":** Joab begins by appealing to David's own understanding and past experience with Abner. This is a rhetorical strategy to underscore the obviousness of Abner's alleged duplicity, as if to say, "You, David, of all people, should recognize Abner's true character and modus operandi given his history as Saul's commander and adversary."
* **"that he came to deceive thee":** This is Joab's direct accusation of Abner's motive. He dismisses Abner's stated purpose of uniting Israel under David as a mere façade, asserting that Abner's true intent was to trick or mislead David for his own strategic advantage or to further the interests of the house of Saul.
* **"and to know thy going out and thy coming in":** This clause specifies the nature of the alleged deception: espionage. Abner's objective, in Joab's view, was to observe and gather intelligence on David's movements, his daily routines, his military readiness, and his accessibility. This idiom highlights the desire for comprehensive operational intelligence.
* **"and to know all that thou doest":** This expands the scope of Abner's alleged intelligence gathering beyond mere movements to encompass all of David's plans, strategies, resources, alliances, and vulnerabilities. It suggests a desire for a complete strategic assessment of David's leadership and kingdom, enabling Abner to exploit any weaknesses.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Joab's dire warning about Abner's deceptive intentions directly precedes and sets the stage for Abner's tragic assassination, which Joab orchestrates. The deep suspicion articulated by Joab hints at the violent resolution of the conflict between the two men. There is also an element of **Irony**, as Abner has seemingly come to make peace and unite the kingdom, yet Joab perceives his actions as the very opposite—a deceitful act of espionage. The most notable device is the **Idiom** "going out and coming in," which is a common biblical expression. Its use here efficiently conveys the comprehensive nature of the intelligence Abner was supposedly seeking, encompassing every aspect of David's life and operations without needing to list them exhaustively.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 3:25 serves as a profound reminder of the constant need for discernment, especially in leadership and times of transition. It highlights the reality of human motives, which are often complex and not always transparent. While David appears to have been willing to trust Abner's overtures of peace, Joab's cynicism, though perhaps rooted in personal vengeance, also reflects a shrewd understanding of the political landscape and the potential for duplicity. The verse underscores the biblical emphasis on wisdom and vigilance, urging believers to be "shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves" ([Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Be Shrewd as Snakes and Innocent as Doves")). It speaks to the tension between extending grace and exercising caution, a balance that leaders must constantly navigate. The pursuit of "knowing one's going out and coming in" for manipulative purposes contrasts sharply with God's perfect and benevolent knowledge of humanity, as described in [Psalm 139:2-3](/psalm/139-2-3 "Psalm 139:2-3 - God Knows My Going Out and Coming In"), where His knowledge is for our good, not our harm.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")
* [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets")
* [Joshua 2:1](/joshua/2-1 "Joshua 2:1 - Rahab and the Spies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse challenges us to cultivate spiritual discernment in all our interactions, recognizing that not every overture, even those seemingly beneficial, comes from pure motives. In a world fraught with complex relationships and competing agendas, we are called to be wise, not naive. This means carefully evaluating the words and actions of others, particularly in moments of significant change, negotiation, or vulnerability. For leaders, whether in the church, family, or workplace, the principle of vigilance is paramount; protecting those under one's care often requires a keen awareness of potential hidden agendas or strategic probes. While we are called to love and forgive, we are also commanded to be discerning, understanding that the enemy, and even human brokenness, can manifest in deceptive ways. This verse encourages us to seek God's wisdom to navigate such complexities, trusting Him to reveal what is hidden and to protect us from harm, while also prompting us to examine our own motives for integrity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have I experienced a situation where someone's outward intentions seemed good, but their true motives were questionable?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment in my personal relationships and leadership roles?**
* **What does it mean to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" in practical, everyday situations?**
* **How does this verse challenge my tendency to either be overly trusting or overly suspicious?**

### FAQ
**Was Abner truly deceiving David, or was Joab's suspicion unfounded?**

Answer: The text of 2 Samuel leaves Abner's ultimate intentions somewhat ambiguous, but Joab's suspicion was certainly plausible given the context. Abner had been David's chief adversary for years, leading the forces of Saul's house against David's. While Abner claimed to be shifting his allegiance to unite Israel under David, his past actions and his powerful position as a military commander made him a formidable and potentially dangerous figure. Joab, driven by both political pragmatism (fearing Abner's influence over David) and personal vengeance (Abner had killed Joab's brother, Asahel, in [2 Samuel 2:23](/2_samuel/2-23 "2 Samuel 2:23 - Abner Kills Asahel")), certainly believed Abner was deceiving David. From Joab's perspective, Abner's visit could easily be interpreted as an intelligence-gathering mission to gauge David's strength and vulnerabilities, rather than a genuine peace offering.

**What is the significance of the phrase "to know thy going out and thy coming in"?**

Answer: This phrase is a common Hebrew idiom that signifies comprehensive knowledge of a person's entire life, activities, and movements. It's not just about knowing where someone physically goes, but understanding their plans, resources, vulnerabilities, and overall conduct. In a military or political context, it refers to gaining full strategic intelligence about an opponent's operations, including their strengths, weaknesses, and intentions. For example, in [Psalm 121:8](/psalm/121-8 "Psalm 121:8 - The Lord Will Keep Your Going Out and Your Coming In"), it speaks of God's complete protection over every aspect of one's life. Here, Joab uses it to imply that Abner was seeking to gather exhaustive information to exploit David's kingdom.

**How does this passage relate to the theme of trust in the Bible?**

Answer: This passage serves as a cautionary tale regarding the complexities of human trust, especially in a fallen world. While the Bible encourages us to trust in God completely ([Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")), it also warns against placing blind trust in human beings, whose hearts can be deceitful ([Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Heart is Deceitful")). Joab's warning to David highlights the need for discernment and wisdom when dealing with others, particularly those with a history of opposition or whose motives are unclear. It reminds us that while we are called to be gracious, we must also be vigilant and wise, recognizing that not everyone who approaches us has pure intentions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Samuel 3:25 reveals the tragic consequences of human suspicion, deception, and vengeance, it also implicitly points to the perfect discernment and unwavering integrity found in Christ. Unlike Abner, whose motives were questioned and whose "going out and coming in" was viewed with suspicion, Jesus' "going out and coming in"—His entire life, ministry, and ultimate sacrifice—was transparently for the salvation of humanity. He is the one who truly "knows" the hearts of all men, not for manipulation or espionage, but for redemption and healing ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")). Where Joab saw a need for worldly shrewdness and ultimately enacted violent revenge, Christ calls His followers to be "shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves" ([Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Be Shrewd as Snakes and Innocent as Doves")), embodying a wisdom that is not of this world, but rooted in divine truth and love. His ultimate "going out" from heaven and "coming in" to humanity was not to deceive, but to reveal the Father and to offer Himself as 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")). In Him, we find the true King whose reign is built on truth, not deception, and whose knowledge of us is for our eternal good, contrasting sharply with the earthly power struggles and mistrust depicted in 2 Samuel.

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

Isaiah 37:28

But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.

Deuteronomy 28:6

Blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou comest in, and blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou goest out.

1 Samuel 29:4

And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? [should it] not [be] with the heads of these men?

1 Samuel 29:6

¶ Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, [as] the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host [is] good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.

Genesis 42:9

And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye [are] spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

Romans 2:1

¶ Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

John 7:47

Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?