2 Samuel 3 13

2 Samuel 3:13 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 3:13 nkjv

And David said, "Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face."

2 Samuel 3:13 niv

"Good," said David. "I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me."

2 Samuel 3:13 esv

And he said, "Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face."

2 Samuel 3:13 nlt

"All right," David replied, "but I will not negotiate with you unless you bring back my wife Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come."

2 Samuel 3 verses

2 Samuel 3 13 Meaning

In 2 Samuel 3:13, David responds to Abner's proposal for an alliance by setting a non-negotiable condition for any agreement. David states that he will make a covenant with Abner only if Abner first restores Michal, Saul's daughter, to him. This demand underscores David's right to his lawfully wedded wife and signifies his legitimate claim to the throne through this marriage, linking his household directly with the previous royal lineage. It also asserts David's authority and determination before any negotiation can proceed.

2 Samuel 3 13 Context

The events in 2 Samuel 3 unfold during a protracted civil war between the house of Saul, represented by Ish-bosheth (Saul's son) and his formidable general Abner, and the house of David, who has been anointed king over Judah in Hebron. Abner, growing increasingly frustrated with Ish-bosheth's weak rule and public rebuke, decides to shift his allegiance to David, intending to bring all Israel under David's kingship. He initiates contact with David, proposing to "make a league" (covenant) and facilitate David's ascension over all Israel. David's response in verse 13 is his immediate counter-condition to Abner's overture. Historically, reclaiming a wife who had been forcibly taken was a matter of honor, justice, and lineage, crucial for solidifying David's claim not just through divine anointing, but also through an established connection to the former royal house, as Michal was Saul's daughter and David's first wife. This action served to symbolically unite the divided kingdoms and strengthen David's legitimacy as the chosen king over all twelve tribes.

2 Samuel 3 13 Word analysis

• וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyomer): "Then he said" - A common Hebrew narrative conjunction, introducing direct speech. Here, it signifies David's prompt and decisive reply to Abner.

• טוֹב (tov): "Well" or "Good." - Abner's affirmative and positive response, indicating acceptance of the principle of making a league with David and the specific condition. It shows his willingness to proceed based on David's terms.

• אֶכְרֹת עִמָּכֶם בְּרִית (echrot immakhem berit): "I will make a league/covenant with thee (plural, implying Abner and those he represents)." - The phrase "cut a covenant" (כָּרַת בְּרִית - karat berit) is foundational in ancient Israelite culture. It implies a formal, solemn, and legally binding agreement, often involving a ritual sacrifice. Abner is offering a profound pledge of loyalty.

• אֶפֶס דָּבָר אֶחָד (efes davar echad): "but one thing/nothing, (except) one word." - The word "אֶפֶס" (efes) can mean "nothing, but, however." Combined, it strongly emphasizes a singular, critical, and non-negotiable prerequisite David sets before agreeing to Abner's proposal.

• אִם־לֹא תָּבִיא (im-lo taviy): "Unless you bring/If not you bring." - A strong conditional clause, an ultimatum. It underscores the essential nature of Michal's return.

• אֶת־מִיכַל בַּת־שָׁאוּל אִשְׁתִּי (et Mikhal bat Sha'ul ishti): "Michal, Saul's daughter, my wife." -

  • מִיכַל (Mikhal): Michal's name, specifically naming her.
  • בַּת־שָׁאוּל (bat Sha'ul): "Daughter of Saul." Highlighting her royal lineage, crucial for David's political legitimacy as son-in-law to the former king.
  • אִשְׁתִּי (ishti): "My wife." David's emphatic declaration of her marital status and his claim to her, asserting his personal right and legal honor which had been violated (1 Sam 25:44).

• כִּי־בֹאֲךָ לִרְאוֹת פָּנָי (ki vo'akha lir'ot panay): "When you come to see my face." - "Seeing the face" (רָאָה פָּנִים - ra'ah panim) denotes a formal audience with a superior or sovereign, or entering into an agreement. David is saying that he will not grant Abner an audience, nor proceed with any covenant, until his condition is met. This asserts David's elevated status and demand for adherence to his terms.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "I will make a league with thee; but one thing I require of thee": This juxtaposition immediately signals the conditional nature of the alliance. While Abner is seeking an unconditional shift of allegiance, David dictates the terms, asserting his authority and the specific, indispensable demand for Michal's return.
  • "thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, my wife": This phrase functions as David's direct ultimatum. The denial of a formal audience until Michal is returned signifies David's prioritization of his legitimate claim over his wife and through her, his connection to the royal lineage of Saul, before any political maneuvering or peace treaties. It establishes the power dynamic clearly with David in command.

2 Samuel 3 13 Bonus section

• Symbolic Reintegration: The act of Michal's return was not just about restoring David's marital rights, but symbolized the reconciliation and reintegration of the divided kingdom. She was a living link between the two royal lines. Her presence would calm the remaining loyalists of Saul's house and further cement David's divine and legitimate right to rule all Israel.
• David's Priorities: David's placing this condition upfront reveals his understanding of divine election intertwined with proper human conduct and justice. He did not rush into political alliances without first rectifying a significant wrong. This reflected a leadership principle that order and justice should precede peace and unity.

2 Samuel 3 13 Commentary

David's demand for Michal is highly significant. It is not merely a personal desire or romantic reunion but a deeply strategic and symbolic act. By insisting on Michal's return, David legally and politically reinforces his claim to the throne of Israel. As Saul's son-in-law and the former husband of the royal princess, David's connection to the preceding dynasty is legitimized. Her return would mend a grave injustice (1 Sam 25:44) and provide a crucial bridge between the houses of Saul and David, symbolically uniting them through Michal's person. David's assertion of this condition also demonstrates his strong, resolute leadership. He is not desperate for Abner's help to the extent that he will compromise on foundational rights or strategic leverage. This uncompromising stance sets the stage for a covenant from a position of strength, ensuring his legitimacy is honored.