2 Samuel 3 20

2 Samuel 3:20 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 3:20 nkjv

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

2 Samuel 3:20 niv

When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men.

2 Samuel 3:20 esv

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

2 Samuel 3:20 nlt

When Abner and twenty of his men came to Hebron, David entertained them with a great feast.

2 Samuel 3 verses

2 Samuel 3 20 Meaning

2 Samuel 3:20 describes a pivotal moment in the unification of Israel under David's kingship. Abner, the former commander of Saul's army and regent for Ish-bosheth, has come to Hebron to meet David. He arrives not as an adversary but as one seeking to facilitate the transfer of the kingdom. David responds with hospitality, demonstrating statesmanship by welcoming Abner and his escort with a feast, a cultural sign of agreement, reconciliation, and acceptance. This act signals the imminent end of the civil war and the merging of the houses of Saul and David.

2 Samuel 3 20 Context

Immediate Chapter Context: 2 Samuel Chapter 3 begins with the prolonged civil war between the house of Saul (under Ish-bosheth and Abner) and the house of David. Abner, resentful of Ish-bosheth's accusation regarding Rizpah (Saul's concubine), pledges to transfer the kingdom from Saul's house to David (2 Sam 3:6-10). He then sends messengers to David, proposing a covenant. David agrees on the condition that his wife, Michal, Saul's daughter, be returned to him (2 Sam 3:13-16). After consulting with the elders of Israel and Benjamin (2 Sam 3:17-19) to rally their support for David, Abner, accompanied by these representatives, comes to Hebron in this verse (2 Sam 3:20) to solidify the transfer and make peace.

Historical and Cultural Context: At this time, Israel was divided, with David reigning in Hebron over Judah for seven and a half years, while Ish-bosheth ruled over the northern tribes from Mahanaim. Abner, Saul's cousin and his chief general, had been the de facto power behind Ish-bosheth. His shift in allegiance was a pragmatic political move to ensure his own survival and influence, recognizing David's ascendant power. Feasting was a common and deeply significant practice in the ancient Near East. A shared meal was often more than just eating; it could symbolize hospitality, establish kinship, ratify treaties, seal covenants, signify reconciliation, or pledge loyalty. David's feast for Abner and his men signifies his acceptance of Abner's overture and an intention to bring about a peaceful, unified kingdom. Hebron was strategically and symbolically important, having patriarchal significance and serving as David's first royal capital.

2 Samuel 3 20 Word analysis

• So Abner came (וַיָּבֹא אַבְנֵר - wayyāvō’ ’aḇnēr):
  • "Abner" (אַבְנֵר): Means "my father is light" or "father of light." He was a formidable military and political figure, a key power broker. His "coming" implies a deliberate, active initiative, marking a decisive turning point after his dispute with Ish-bosheth. It signifies a transition of loyalty and a move to unify the divided kingdom.
• to David to Hebron:
  • "David" (דָּוִד): Meaning "beloved." Here, he represents the divinely appointed king, growing in strength and influence. David's presence in Hebron symbolizes his established rule and legitimacy in Judah.
  • "Hebron" (חֶבְרוֹן): A very ancient and significant city in Judah. Its name potentially relates to "association" or "confederation." It was Abraham's burial place and held strong tribal loyalties for David. For Abner to come to Hebron emphasizes David's established position and capital. It underscores Abner's initiative to merge with David's already existing sphere of influence, not negotiate as equals from separate capitals.
• and with him twenty men:
  • "twenty men" (עֶשְׂרִים אִישׁ - ‘eśrīm ’îš): This number suggests a representative escort or delegation, not a military force. It indicates a formal visit, a gesture of respect and confidence, rather than a show of force or hostility. It signifies Abner is not coming stealthily or alone, but openly and with witnesses to the reconciliation. This further implies the seriousness of the discussion and the intention to forge a public agreement.
• And David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast (וַיַּעַשׂ דָּוִד לְאַבְנֵר וְלַאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר עִמּוֹ מִשְׁתֶּה - wayya‘as Dāwiḏ lə’aḇnēr wəla’ănāšîm ’ăšer ‘immō mištäh):
  • "made...a feast" (וַיַּעַשׂ... מִשְׁתֶּה - wayya‘as...mištäh): The Hebrew word mishteh denotes a "banquet," a celebratory or formal meal. It's more than casual dining; it signifies a serious occasion.
    • Significance of the feast: This act of hospitality by David is highly significant:
      • Reconciliation and Welcome: It communicates acceptance, trust, and a willingness to put past animosities aside. David embraces his former adversary as a prospective ally.
      • Covenantal Symbolism: In ancient Israel, sharing a meal was often a way to seal agreements, establish peace, or celebrate covenants (e.g., Gen 26:30, Exod 24:11). David's feast served as an informal, but powerfully symbolic, ratification of Abner's proposal.
      • Statesmanship: David displays shrewd political acumen and generous leadership. Instead of punishing Abner for past opposition, he welcomes him, illustrating his capacity for national unity. This move garners support and sets a tone of peace for the transitioning kingdom.
      • Divine Approval: Often, in biblical narratives, peace and feasting accompany God's favor and the consolidation of power chosen by Him.

2 Samuel 3 20 Bonus section

• The peace symbolized by the feast in 2 Sam 3:20 is tragically cut short in the very next section (2 Sam 3:26-27) by Joab's murder of Abner. This highlights the volatile political climate and the personal animosities that ran deep within David's own camp, despite David's intentions for peace and reconciliation.
• David's willingness to host Abner with a feast can be seen as an example of wise leadership and forgiveness, strategically consolidating power through diplomacy rather than continued conflict. This echoes themes found later in Proverbs concerning dealing with enemies (Prov 25:21-22).
• Abner's move to switch allegiance was not purely selfless. His motivation stemmed partly from Ish-bosheth's accusation and the recognition of David's increasing strength and divine appointment. The feast solidified a mutually beneficial arrangement.

2 Samuel 3 20 Commentary

2 Samuel 3:20 marks a turning point in the biblical narrative of David's ascension. After years of civil strife, Abner's direct visit to David in Hebron, rather than continued covert negotiations, signifies a clear and decisive shift of allegiance from Saul's faltering house to David's burgeoning kingdom. Abner, the mastermind behind Ish-bosheth's short reign, now acknowledges David's destined kingship. David's response of holding a grand "feast" is critical. It is a calculated and culturally resonant act, extending beyond mere hospitality to signify reconciliation, acceptance of terms, and the sealing of a peaceful, unifying agreement. This meal publicly validated Abner's new loyalty and welcomed him into David's fold. It laid the foundation for Abner to use his significant influence among the northern tribes to bring all Israel under David's rule. David's statesmanship here, welcoming a former adversary with such warmth and public affirmation, is a testament to his character as a divinely appointed leader capable of uniting a divided nation. While the subsequent narrative reveals the short-lived nature of Abner's peace due to Joab's personal vendetta, this verse perfectly captures the political and relational breakthrough between Abner and David themselves.