2 Samuel 3 17

2 Samuel 3:17 kjv

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

2 Samuel 3:17 nkjv

Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, "In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you.

2 Samuel 3:17 niv

Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king.

2 Samuel 3:17 esv

And Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, "For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you.

2 Samuel 3:17 nlt

Meanwhile, Abner had consulted with the elders of Israel. "For some time now," he told them, "you have wanted to make David your king.

2 Samuel 3 verses

2 Samuel 3 17 Meaning

This verse details Abner's crucial consultation with the elders of Israel. He reminds them of their prior desire for David to be their king, a subtle yet powerful appeal to both their former inclination and the perceived divine mandate, preparing them for the transfer of allegiance from Ish-bosheth to David. It signals a critical political move towards the unification of Israel and Judah under David's reign.

2 Samuel 3 17 Context

2 Samuel chapter 3 marks a turning point in the civil war between the house of Saul (represented by Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, led by his general Abner) and the house of David. Up to this point, the conflict has been ongoing for many years, with David reigning in Judah and Ish-bosheth (effectively a puppet king) in Israel. The chapter begins with increasing strength for David's house. Abner, enraged by an accusation from Ish-bosheth and recognizing the shifting tide, decides to betray Ish-bosheth and throw his support behind David. This verse highlights Abner's immediate and strategic action: approaching the influential elders of Israel to gain their consent and prepare the way for David's acceptance across all the tribes. His reference to their "formerly" expressed desire reminds them of a time before the schism, reinforcing David's long-standing legitimacy, perhaps even divine sanction, in their eyes.

2 Samuel 3 17 Word analysis

• Now: Implies an immediate, deliberate shift in action following Abner's decision in the previous verses (2 Sam 3:6-16). It signals a crucial stage in the narrative.
• Abner: Saul's cousin and his chief commander. His support is indispensable for unifying Israel, given his authority and influence among the northern tribes. His strategic shift represents a massive political endorsement for David.
• had consulted with (דִּבֶּר, dibber): The Hebrew verb dibbēr (from the root dābar, to speak) here signifies not merely a casual conversation but a serious, deliberate, and perhaps official communication or negotiation. It indicates Abner taking the initiative to speak authoritatively, laying out a proposition and seeking agreement, highlighting his influential position. This consultation is key to legitimizing David's future reign in the north.
• the elders (זִקְנֵי, ziqnei) of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisrael): These were the traditional leaders, representatives, and authoritative figures of the various tribes beyond Judah. They were crucial in ratifying major political and covenantal decisions (Exod 3:16, 17:5, 18:12, Jdg 20:2). Their agreement was essential for widespread acceptance of any king in Israel, lending tribal and religious legitimacy to the transition.
• saying: Introduces the content of Abner's persuasive argument.
• 'Formerly (גַּם־אֶתְמוֹל, gam-‘etmol)': Literally "even yesterday" or "also in time past." This term emphasizes a period prior to the civil war when a unified kingship under David was either openly desired or divinely sanctioned. It serves as an appeal to their prior consensus or divine will.
• 'you sought (בִּקַּשְׁתֶּם, biqqaštem)': The verb biqqaštem (from baqash, to seek, desire, require earnestly) implies a previous active pursuit or earnest request. Abner reminds the elders that this idea of David as king was not new but something they themselves had previously desired or seen as rightful. This frames the proposed transfer of power not as an imposition by Abner, but as a return to an original, shared intent.
• 'for David to be king (לְמֶלֶךְ, lᵉmeleḵ)': Clearly states the object of their past desire. It references David's destiny, acknowledged by Samuel's anointing (1 Sam 16), his initial popularity, and possibly his success against the Philistines before Saul's jealousy took over.
• 'over you': Directly addressing their sovereignty and communal well-being. David was sought to rule them, the collective body of Israel, indicating a comprehensive and united kingship, as opposed to the fragmented reality of Saul's house ruling part and David ruling Judah.

2 Samuel 3 17 Bonus section

• The phrase "Formerly you sought for David to be king over you" alludes to David's initial widespread popularity (e.g., 1 Sam 18:7) after his victories, suggesting that his leadership was already widely perceived as God's choice even before the deep divisions arose under Saul's decline.
• Abner's strategy of recalling a past "seeking" avoids the appearance of simple betrayal of Ish-bosheth and instead presents it as aligning with a higher, enduring purpose – implicitly, God's will and the initial sentiment of the people for David. This elevates his actions beyond mere political opportunism.
• This verse underscores the importance of public consent and the authority of the elders in ancient Israelite society, even when a divine choice of king was involved. Divine appointment often worked in conjunction with human processes of acceptance and ratification through key community leaders.
• The unity desired by the elders for David echoes later prophetic hopes for a united people under one Shepherd-King, a theme ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who unifies a spiritual Israel across all divides.

2 Samuel 3 17 Commentary

2 Samuel 3:17 portrays Abner as a pragmatist and skilled politician, skillfully laying the groundwork for David's accession. By consulting the elders, he recognized and utilized the established power structure within Israel. His shrewd appeal to their "formerly" expressed desire for David to be king highlights that David's future reign was not a novel concept but a return to a previously understood divine and popular will. This consultation ensures that the transition of power from Saul's dwindling house to David would be perceived as legitimate and supported by the influential tribal leaders, paving the way for the eventual reunification of the fragmented kingdom under David. Abner is aligning human political maneuverings with what he (and others) understood as God's divine plan for Israel's king.