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2 Samuel 3

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Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

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2 Samuel 3 Overview

War continues between Saul’s house and David’s house, but David grows stronger while Saul’s house grows weaker. After Ish-bosheth accuses Abner concerning Saul’s concubine Rizpah, Abner angrily promises to transfer the kingdom to David and begins negotiating with Israel’s elders. David welcomes the prospect, but Joab secretly murders Abner in revenge for Asahel. David publicly mourns Abner and distances himself from the killing.

2 SamuelBook

3Chapter

39Verses

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Before you read 2 Samuel 3

Coming from

Chapter 2 ended with Asahel killed by Abner during the battle at Gibeon and with the two royal houses still divided.

In this chapter

Abner shifts allegiance toward David and seems capable of ending the civil conflict, but Joab’s private vengeance introduces bloodguilt and threatens the legitimacy of the transition.

Leads into

Chapter 4 records the assassination of Ish-bosheth by two of his own captains, followed by David’s execution of the killers when they bring him Ish-bosheth’s head expecting reward.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Taking a former king’s concubine could carry royal and political implications, which explains why Ish-bosheth treats the accusation against Abner as serious. Abner’s angry response reveals how dependent Ish-bosheth is upon him. David requires the return of Michal before finalizing the alliance, reconnecting his first marriage and Saul’s house to the royal transition. Joab’s killing of Abner is presented as unauthorized revenge, and David’s mourning serves both moral and political purposes: he genuinely condemns the murder and makes clear that the new kingdom is not being established through assassination.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Truth 1

The weakening of Saul’s house and strengthening of David’s house occurs over time rather than through one simple transfer of power.

Truth 2

Personal vengeance can sabotage a larger peace process, as Joab kills the very man who is working to unite Israel under David.

Truth 3

David publicly separates himself from Abner’s murder and honors Abner as a prince and great man in Israel.

Truth 4

Political power does not excuse murder inside David’s own camp; Joab’s usefulness as commander does not make his action righteous.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Connection 1

1 Samuel 18–19 records David’s marriage to Michal, while 1 Samuel 25 notes that Saul later gave her to another man; chapter 3 reconnects that broken royal relationship.

Connection 2

Numbers 35 and Deuteronomy 19 regulate blood vengeance and cities of refuge, helping show that private revenge was not meant to ignore lawful distinctions and circumstances.

Connection 3

1 Kings 2 later records David’s final instructions concerning Joab’s bloodshed, showing that Abner’s murder remains morally significant long after this chapter.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep this clear 1

Abner’s political change of side should not automatically be called spiritual conversion; the text focuses on dynastic allegiance and political action.

Keep this clear 2

Joab’s claim of revenge for Asahel does not by itself justify the killing. Abner had killed Asahel in battle after warning him to turn aside, while Joab murders Abner during negotiations.

Keep this clear 3

David’s multiple wives are part of the historical royal record; their presence should not be mistaken for biblical endorsement of polygamy.

Read 2 Samuel 3 watching for…

How the strength of the two houses changes.

The accusation that breaks Ish-bosheth and Abner apart.

What Abner promises after becoming angry.

David’s condition concerning Michal.

How Joab gets Abner alone.

David’s public reaction to Abner’s death.

Chapter outline5 sections

1-5The war continues while David’s house grows stronger 6-11Abner quarrels with Ish-bosheth 12-21Abner makes an agreement with David and brings Michal back 22-30Joab kills Abner 31-39David mourns Abner and clears himself of the murder

Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.

And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?

Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?

So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.

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.

And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.

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

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:

Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

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.

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.

And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.

Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?

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.

And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.

And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.

And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.

And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.