2 Samuel 3:21

Authorized King James Version

And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

אַבְנֵ֖ר

H74

Abner

abner, an israelite

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֛ד

H1732

And David

david, the youngest son of jesse

אָק֣וּמָה׀

H6965

I will arise

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וְֽאֵלֵ֡כָה

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְאֶקְבְּצָה֩

H6908

and will gather

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲדֹנִ֨י

H113

unto my lord

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

#10

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ

H4428

the king

a king

#11

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#12

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#13

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

H3478

all Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#14

וְיִכְרְת֤וּ

H3772

that they may make

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

#15

אִתְּךָ֙

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#16

בְּרִ֔ית

H1285

a league

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

#17

וּמָ֣לַכְתָּ֔

H4427

with thee and that thou mayest reign

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

#18

בְּכֹ֥ל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#19

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#20

תְּאַוֶּ֖ה

H183

desireth

to wish for

#21

נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ

H5315

over all that thine heart

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#22

וַיְּשַׁלַּ֥ח

H7971

away

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#23

דָּוִ֛ד

H1732

And David

david, the youngest son of jesse

#24

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#25

אַבְנֵ֖ר

H74

Abner

abner, an israelite

#26

וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#27

בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃

H7965

in peace

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to 2 Samuel. The concept of peace reflects the development of kingdom of God within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of peace differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding peace in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about kingdom of God?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of kingdom of God, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of eschatology and the doctrine of last things?

Related Resources

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