2 Samuel 3

Now there was long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker.

Sons were born to David in Hebron. 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, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house.

Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to your father Saul’s house, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman!

God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as the LORD has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him:

to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s house, and to set up David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”

He could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him.

Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and saying, “Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand will be with you to bring all Israel around to you.”

David said, “Good. I will make a treaty with you, but one thing I require of you. That is, you will not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.”

David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish.

Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go! Return!” and he returned.

Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you sought for David to be king over you.

Now then do it! For the LORD has 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.’”

Abner also spoke 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 to the whole house of Benjamin.

So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast.

Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires.” David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

Behold, David’s servants and Joab came from a raid and brought in a great plunder with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.

When Joab and all the army who was with him had come, they told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.”

Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, and he is already gone?

You know Abner the son of Ner. He came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do.”

When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David didn’t know it.

When Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.

Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

Let it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house. Let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”

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

David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn in front of Abner.” King David followed the bier.

They buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at Abner’s grave; and all the people wept.

The king lamented for Abner, and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

Your hands weren’t bound, and your feet weren’t put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell.” All the people wept again over him.

All the people came to urge David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else, until the sun goes down.”

All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased all the people.

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

The king said to his servants, “Don’t you know that a prince and a great man has fallen today in Israel?

I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May the LORD reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.”

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter portrays the ongoing conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David, tracing David’s rising strength and the internal fractures within Saul’s remaining family and leadership. It centers on Abner’s pivotal shift from supporting Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, to negotiating David’s kingship over all Israel, a move cut short by Joab’s revenge. Though David seeks a lawful and peaceful transition of power, marked by his demand for Michal as a symbol of his legitimate claim, the chapter reveals how personal vendettas threaten national unity and David’s integrity.

Flow.

The tension between David’s growing power and Saul’s declining dynasty is reinforced, with Abner consolidating influence under Ishbosheth.
Abner’s anger at Ishbosheth’s accusation over Rizpah leads him to defect and initiate negotiations with David.
David agrees to a covenant on the condition of receiving Michal, asserting his rightful connection to Saul’s line, and Abner secures political support from Israel and Benjamin.
Joab’s murder of Abner, motivated by a blood feud, disrupts the peace process, prompting David to publicly distance himself from the act and mourn Abner to preserve his moral and political standing.

Connections.
Following chapter 2, where conflict erupts between Abner’s men and Joab’s men at Gibeon and Asahel is killed, chapter 3 intensifies the personal and political fallout, particularly Abner’s alienation from Ishbosheth. This sets the stage for chapter 4, where Ishbosheth’s own collapse and assassination follow, clearing the way for David’s uncontested rise. The instability in Saul’s house, highlighted in this chapter, becomes irreversible in the next, as the narrative moves toward David’s full anointing over united Israel.

What it teaches.
The chapter underscores the reality of human ambition and the cost of unresolved sin within leadership, even as God sovereignly advances His purposes. Abner’s recognition that God has sworn the kingdom to David aligns with the divine promise affirmed in earlier revelation (WCF 7.4; cf. 2 Sam 7), yet his attempt to broker peace is tainted by personal motives and pride. David’s refusal to condone Abner’s murder affirms the sanctity of lawful authority and justice (WCF 23.4), while his public mourning safeguards national unity. The tragedy also illustrates how private vengeance (Joab’s act) defiles the peace God intends, a principle echoed in the command against bloodguilt (HC LD 4, Q/A 6). David’s declaration of innocence before the Lord reflects the responsibility of leaders to uphold justice personally and publicly (WCF 20.4).

Apply.
When leaders act justly in the face of others’ violence, it bears witness to a higher kingdom’s standards.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.