2 Samuel 3:16

And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

And her husband {H376} went {H3212} with her along weeping {H1980}{H1058} behind {H310} her to Bahurim {H980}. Then said {H559} Abner {H74} unto him, Go {H3212}, return {H7725}. And he returned {H7725}.

Her husband went with her, crying as he went, and followed her to Bachurim. But when Avner told him, "Go back," he returned.

Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, โ€œGo back.โ€ So he returned home.

And her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return: and he returned.

Commentary

2 Samuel 3:16 captures a deeply poignant and often overlooked moment in the narrative of King David's rise to power. It describes the forced separation of Michal, Saul's daughter, from her husband Phalti (also known as Phaltiel), as she is returned to David, her first husband.

Context

This verse is set during a critical period when David, already crowned king over Judah, is vying for control over all Israel, which was still loyal to Saul's house under the leadership of Abner, Saul's former commander. As part of a strategic alliance with Abner, David demands the return of Michal, his first wife and Saul's daughter. This demand, found in 2 Samuel 3:13 and 2 Samuel 3:14, was not merely personal; it was a shrewd political move to legitimize David's claim to the throne of all Israel by re-establishing his connection to the royal house of Saul. Michal had been given by Saul to Phalti when David was a fugitive.

The scene unfolds as Michal is escorted back to David. Phalti, her devoted husband, follows her "weeping behind her" until Abner, exercising his authority, commands him to "Go, return." Phalti's heartbroken compliance underscores the power dynamics at play and the personal cost of political maneuvering.

Key Themes

  • Heartbreak and Loss: Phalti's genuine sorrow and tears highlight the personal grief caused by political decisions. His weeping is a powerful image of deep attachment and forced separation.
  • Political Expediency: David's demand for Michal, while seemingly restoring a marital bond, was primarily a strategic move to strengthen his claim to the throne. This verse exposes the human cost of such political maneuvering.
  • Authority and Obedience: Abner's blunt command, "Go, return," demonstrates his authority, and Phalti's immediate compliance shows his submission to this authority, even in his profound distress.
  • Michal's Plight: Michal herself is presented as a pawn in this power struggle, moved between husbands without her consent, reflecting the limited agency of women in that societal context. Her later relationship with David would also be strained, as seen in 2 Samuel 6:23.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "weeping" is bokheh (ื‘ึผึนื›ึถื”), which conveys a deep, audible expression of grief, not just silent tears. It emphasizes the profound sorrow Phalti felt. Abner's words, "Go, return" (ืœึตืšึฐ ืฉืื•ึผื‘ - lekh shuv), are direct and authoritative, leaving no room for argument, despite the emotional intensity of the situation.

Reflection

This verse serves as a stark reminder that even in the grand narratives of biblical history, individual lives and emotions are profoundly affected by larger political and social forces. Phalti's quiet sorrow at Bahurim offers a poignant glimpse into the human side of ancient power struggles. It encourages empathy for those caught in circumstances beyond their control and highlights that even necessary political or strategic actions can carry significant personal costs.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 19:16 (5 votes)

    ยถ And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which [was] of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.

  • 2 Samuel 16:5 (5 votes)

    ยถ And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name [was] Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.

  • 2 Samuel 17:18 (3 votes)

    Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.

  • 1 Kings 2:8 (3 votes)

    And, behold, [thou hast] with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

  • Proverbs 9:17 (2 votes)

    Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.

  • Proverbs 9:18 (2 votes)

    But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.