2 Samuel 3:21 kjv
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.
2 Samuel 3:21 nkjv
Then Abner said to David, "I will arise and go, and 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 heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
2 Samuel 3:21 niv
Then Abner said to David, "Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
2 Samuel 3:21 esv
And 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 heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
2 Samuel 3:21 nlt
Then Abner said to David, "Let me go and call an assembly of all Israel to support my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you to make you their king, and you will rule over everything your heart desires." So David sent Abner safely on his way.
2 Samuel 3 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
| 2 Sam 3:9 | "So may God do to Abner and more also, if as the LORD has sworn to David, I do not accomplish this..." | Abner invokes an oath regarding transferring the kingdom to David. |
| 2 Sam 3:10 | "...to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah..." | Abner's declared purpose aligns with the divine will. |
| 1 Sam 15:28 | Then Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor..." | Prophecy concerning the kingdom taken from Saul and given to David. |
| 1 Sam 16:1 | The LORD said to Samuel, "...I have rejected Saul from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and go..." | David's anointing by divine decree. |
| 1 Sam 16:13 | Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David... | David's divine appointment and empowerment. |
| 2 Sam 2:4 | And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. | David's initial anointing by Judah only. |
| 2 Sam 5:1 | Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh." | Fulfillment of "gather all Israel" by the tribes' initiative. |
| 2 Sam 5:3 | So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them... | David makes a covenant with all Israel, fulfilling Abner's promise. |
| 1 Chr 12:38 | All these, men of war, who could order battle, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. | Reinforces the unity and purpose in making David king. |
| Ps 2:6 | "As for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain." | God's establishment of David as King, prefiguring the Messiah. |
| Ps 2:8 | "Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession." | Promise of universal reign, echoed in "all your soul desires." |
| Ps 20:4 | "May He grant you your heart's desire And fulfill all your counsel!" | Similar language to "all that your soul desires." |
| Ps 37:4 | Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. | Theme of desires granted by God, relevant to David's kingship. |
| Isa 9:7 | There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace...to establish it and to uphold it... | Prophecy of an unending reign of a greater David. |
| 1 Chr 11:3 | So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them...and they anointed David king. | Another account of the covenant with all Israel. |
| Exod 24:7 | Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do..." | Example of making a solemn covenant. |
| Judg 20:1 | Then all the sons of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled as one man...from Dan even to Beersheba... | Describes "all Israel" assembling. |
| Deut 17:14-15 | "When you come to the land which the LORD your God is giving you...and you say, 'I will set a king over me like all the nations...' you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses." | God's pre-ordained plan for a king in Israel. |
| Acts 13:22 | "...He raised up David to be their king, of whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart...'" | New Testament affirmation of David's divine election. |
| Eph 2:14 | For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier... | Christ as the one who brings true peace and unity, paralleling the political unity desired here. |
| Rom 15:13 | Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace... | The theme of "peace" which Abner desires at the end of the verse. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek...for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Spiritual unity in Christ that transcends earthly divisions. |
2 Samuel 3 verses
2 Samuel 3 21 Meaning
2 Samuel 3:21 portrays Abner, the former commander of Saul's army, expressing his firm commitment to unify all the tribes of Israel under King David's reign. Abner promises to actively gather the northern tribes and forge a covenant with David, ensuring his undisputed rule over the entire land according to David's aspirations. David, in turn, trusts Abner's declaration and sends him away in peace, seemingly signaling a new era of unity. This verse signifies a pivotal moment in the transition of power from the house of Saul to the house of David, showing the willing surrender of key opposition figures, albeit temporarily for Abner.
2 Samuel 3 21 Context
2 Samuel chapter 3 marks a significant turning point in the protracted civil war between the house of David (representing Judah in the south) and the house of Saul (representing the northern tribes under Ish-bosheth, led by Abner). Initially, David's power grew while Saul's house weakened (2 Sam 3:1). The relationship between Ish-bosheth and Abner fractured after Ish-bosheth accused Abner of improper conduct (2 Sam 3:7-8). This accusation infuriated Abner, who then pledged to transfer the entire kingdom to David, aligning his actions with the LORD's divine will concerning David (2 Sam 3:9-10). David stipulated that Michal, Saul's daughter and David's first wife, be returned to him before any covenant could be made with Abner (2 Sam 3:13). After Michal was returned, Abner traveled to Hebron to meet with David, first persuading the elders of Benjamin (2 Sam 3:19) and then those of all Israel that they should switch allegiance to David. This verse, 2 Samuel 3:21, records Abner's direct assurance to David after their meeting, finalizing his intention to bring all Israel under David's leadership and marking the culmination of his pledge and initial success in swaying the northern tribes.
2 Samuel 3 21 Word analysis
- And Abner said to David: This direct speech signifies Abner's personal and public commitment. His words carry the weight of his authority and his strategic mind.
- I will arise (אָקוּמָה - âqûmâh): From the Hebrew root qum (קוּם), meaning to rise up, stand, or arise. It implies firm resolve, initiative, and immediate action. It's not a mere suggestion but a definite purpose and commitment to act. This verb frequently denotes a decisive movement towards a goal.
- and go and gather (אֲקַבְּצָה - ʾaqabsēśâh): From the root qabaṣ (קָבַץ), meaning to collect, assemble, or gather. Abner envisions a comprehensive rallying of the people, emphasizing a broad, inclusive assembly rather than a coerced or partial one. This "gathering" suggests the culmination of his efforts among the northern tribes.
- all Israel (כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל - kol-yiśrāʾēl): This phrase is highly significant, denoting the full national entity of the twelve tribes, including both Judah (which David already ruled) and the northern tribes currently under Ish-bosheth. Abner’s intention is to unite the divided kingdom entirely under one head. This also hints at God's promise for Israel to be one nation under one king, rather than divided.
- to my lord the king (אֶל־אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ - ʾel-ʾădŏni ha-melekh): Abner’s public recognition and address of David as "my lord the king" indicate a complete submission and transfer of loyalty. This acknowledges David’s rightful and ultimate authority, demonstrating Abner’s shift from rival to loyal subject, even before the complete national transition.
- that they may make a covenant with you (וְיִכְרְתוּ אִתְּךָ בְּרִית - wēyikhretû ʾittek̇ā berı̂t): "Make a covenant" (karat berit) refers to a solemn, binding agreement, often sealed with sacrifices or an oath. In this context, it signifies a formal, binding agreement of allegiance and loyalty between the people and their king. Such covenants legitimized a ruler’s authority and established mutual obligations, solidifying David’s rightful position.
- and that you may reign (וְתִמְלֹךְ - wət̪imlōkh): From the root mālak (מָלַךְ), meaning to rule as king. It denotes the establishment of sovereignty.
- over all that your soul desires (עַל כֹּל אֲשֶׁר תְּאַוֶּה נַפְשֶׁךָ - ʿal kol ʾǎšer təmâwweh nafšeḵā): "Soul" (nephesh, נֶפֶשׁ) in Hebrew encompasses the whole person—desires, mind, life-force. This phrase emphasizes the breadth and completeness of David's future reign, suggesting it would fulfill not only his political ambitions but also God's pre-ordained plan for his dominion. It implies a total, comprehensive, and uncontested kingship according to God’s will.
- So David sent Abner away: This shows David’s acceptance of Abner's promise and his immediate trust, granting Abner leave to execute his plan. It implies a successful diplomatic exchange.
- and he went in peace (בְּשָׁלוֹם - běšālōm): "In peace" (be-shalom, בְּשָׁלוֹם) conveys a sense of wholeness, well-being, safety, and security. It signifies that Abner left without conflict, threats, or harm, under terms of reconciliation and good intentions. This phrase serves as a poignant irony when viewed in light of Abner's subsequent murder by Joab, just as he was departing.
2 Samuel 3 21 Bonus section
The phrase "all that your soul desires" subtly ties into the theme of God granting the desires of His faithful servants' hearts when those desires align with His divine purpose. In this case, David’s ambition to rule over a unified Israel was not merely a personal craving for power but an aspiration deeply connected to God’s covenantal promises to him and to the people of Israel. The fulfillment of this desire was part of the divine design for Israel's future, with David as God's chosen shepherd and king. The subsequent murder of Abner (2 Sam 3:27), despite the peaceful departure in this verse, serves as a sharp contrast, illustrating the ongoing challenges of human sin and discord even when God's greater redemptive plan for the nation is progressing.
2 Samuel 3 21 Commentary
2 Samuel 3:21 presents Abner's earnest commitment to consolidate the divided kingdom under David's rule, a move driven both by strategic pragmatism after his conflict with Ish-bosheth and an acknowledgment of divine providence (as implied by his reference to God's oath in 2 Sam 3:9). Abner's promise to "gather all Israel" and "make a covenant" underscores the political and religious significance of unifying the tribes and legitimizing David's reign in the eyes of the people. David's sending Abner "in peace" highlights his acceptance of Abner's terms and confidence in his pledge, indicating a potential harmonious transition. The tragic irony, however, is that this "peace" was short-lived, as Joab's vindictive act cut short Abner's life and his unifying mission, showing that God's plan can be realized even amidst human treachery and imperfection. This verse is thus a moment of high expectation for national unity, setting the stage for subsequent events.