2 Samuel 3:12

Authorized King James Version

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And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ sent H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ sent
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 1 of 21
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אַבְנֵ֨ר And Abner H74
אַבְנֵ֨ר And Abner
Strong's: H74
Word #: 2 of 21
abner, an israelite
מַלְאָכִ֧ים׀ messengers H4397
מַלְאָכִ֧ים׀ messengers
Strong's: H4397
Word #: 3 of 21
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 4 of 21
near, with or among; often in general, to
דָּוִ֛ד to David H1732
דָּוִ֛ד to David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 5 of 21
david, the youngest son of jesse
תַּחְתָּ֥ו H8478
תַּחְתָּ֥ו
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 6 of 21
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
לֵאמֹ֗ר on his behalf saying H559
לֵאמֹ֗ר on his behalf saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 7 of 21
to say (used with great latitude)
לְמִי H4310
לְמִי
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 8 of 21
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
אָ֑רֶץ Whose is the land H776
אָ֑רֶץ Whose is the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 9 of 21
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לֵאמֹ֗ר on his behalf saying H559
לֵאמֹ֗ר on his behalf saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 10 of 21
to say (used with great latitude)
כָּרְתָ֤ה also Make H3772
כָּרְתָ֤ה also Make
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 11 of 21
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
בְרִֽיתְךָ֙ thy league H1285
בְרִֽיתְךָ֙ thy league
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 12 of 21
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אִתִּ֔י H854
אִתִּ֔י
Strong's: H854
Word #: 13 of 21
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְהִנֵּה֙ H2009
וְהִנֵּה֙
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 14 of 21
lo!
יָדִ֣י with me and behold my hand H3027
יָדִ֣י with me and behold my hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 15 of 21
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עִמָּ֔ךְ H5973
עִמָּ֔ךְ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 16 of 21
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
לְהָסֵ֥ב shall be with thee to bring about H5437
לְהָסֵ֥ב shall be with thee to bring about
Strong's: H5437
Word #: 17 of 21
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
אֵלֶ֖יךָ H413
אֵלֶ֖יךָ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 18 of 21
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 19 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 20 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ all Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ all Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 21 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Abner Defects and Dies, emphasizing political maneuvering, revenge consequences. This chapter illustrates the complexity of political transition and personal revenge. Abner's defection using covenant language (brit, בְּרִית) contrasts with Joab's treacherous murder, demonstrating how personal vengeance undermines national purposes. The text develops themes of legitimate vs illegitimate authority, the corrupting power of revenge, and maintaining integrity when others act unethically.

Historical Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 3 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding political maneuvering, revenge consequences provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

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