2 Samuel 3 23

2 Samuel 3:23 kjv

When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.

2 Samuel 3:23 nkjv

When Joab and all the troops that were with him had come, they told Joab, saying, "Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he sent him away, and he has gone in peace."

2 Samuel 3:23 niv

When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace.

2 Samuel 3:23 esv

When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, "Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace."

2 Samuel 3:23 nlt

When Joab arrived, he was told that Abner had just been there visiting the king and had been sent away in safety.

2 Samuel 3 verses

2 Samuel 3 23 Meaning

2 Samuel 3:23 describes the crucial moment when Joab, David's commander, returns with his army and is informed that Abner, Saul's former commander, has visited King David and has been allowed to depart peacefully. This seemingly innocuous report is significant as it immediately precedes Joab's treacherous murder of Abner, stemming from a combination of personal vengeance for his brother Asahel and strategic concerns about Abner's political influence with David.

2 Samuel 3 23 Context

This verse is positioned at a pivotal moment in David's ascendancy to the throne over all Israel. Following Saul's death, Israel was divided, with Ish-Bosheth (Saul's son) reigning in the north under Abner's command, and David ruling Judah in the south. Chapter 3 begins with the war between the houses intensifying. Abner, angered by Ish-Bosheth's accusation regarding Rizpah, decides to defect and bring all Israel under David's rule (2 Sam 3:6-11). He meets with David, makes a covenant, and assures him of his support in uniting the kingdom (2 Sam 3:12-21). David sends Abner away in peace, signaling a diplomatic victory and genuine effort towards unity. However, this peace is immediately threatened by Joab's return. The historical context reflects a volatile period of civil war, tribal loyalties, and power struggles where personal grievances often intertwined with political ambitions. The common cultural understanding was that "peace" (shalom) implied safety, well-being, and a resolved, favorable situation.

2 Samuel 3 23 Word analysis

• And Joab, and all the host that was with him, were come:

  • Joab (יֹואָב, Yo'av): David's military commander, renowned for his strategic prowess but also for his ruthlessness and vengeful nature. His character consistently contrasts with David's.
  • host (הַחַיִל, ha-chayil): Refers to the military force, the army. Its arrival signifies the completion of a military engagement (likely a raid), which had kept Joab absent during Abner's meeting with David. This absence is critical; had Joab been present, the peace negotiations might have been handled differently.
  • were come: Signifies their immediate return, placing them directly into the developing political situation between David and Abner. Their return is untimely for Abner, though timely for Joab's vengeful purposes.

• and they told Joab:

  • they told: Indicates that this crucial information was conveyed by members of the returning host, implying general knowledge of Abner's presence and departure. The information quickly reaches Joab, sparking his immediate, negative reaction.

• saying, Abner the son of Ner is come to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace:

  • Abner the son of Ner (אַבְנֵר בֶּן-נֵר, Avner ben-Ner): Saul's cousin and commander, a powerful figure in Israel who had long opposed David but was now seeking reconciliation and unity under David.
  • is come to the king: Establishes that a significant meeting and interaction took place between Abner and David, highlighting Abner's direct access and relationship with the king.
  • he hath sent him away: This refers to King David's action, signifying that David concluded the meeting and gave Abner permission to depart, suggesting an agreed-upon resolution and cessation of hostilities.
  • he is gone in peace (וַיֵּלֶךְ בְּשָׁלֹום, vayyelech b'shalom):
    • peace (shalom): This Hebrew word is incredibly rich, encompassing more than just absence of conflict. It signifies completeness, wholeness, well-being, prosperity, health, safety, and harmony. When someone "goes in peace," it implies a state of safety, reconciliation, and a mutual understanding that hostilities have ceased. David's intention was a true shalom between himself, Abner, and the united kingdom. Joab's subsequent act directly violates this shalom. The contrast between David's shalom and Joab's treachery forms the dramatic core of this episode.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Joab, and all the host that was with him, were come": Highlights the formidable military power now present, commanded by Joab, a figure often associated with aggressive action and ruthlessness. This sets a tense stage.
  • "and they told Joab": This phrase introduces the immediate disclosure of Abner's recent activity, creating an instant pivot in the narrative. The information is not hearsay, but a direct report from reliable sources.
  • "Abner the son of Ner is come to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace": This full report conveys the successful and seemingly amicable reconciliation between David and Abner. The repetition of "he" emphasizes David's direct involvement in establishing a peaceful resolution. The concluding phrase "gone in peace" powerfully underlines David's intent and the state of the covenant, setting it in direct contrast to Joab's violent reaction that immediately follows. The information implicitly tells Joab that Abner is now David's ally and, from Joab's perspective, potentially a rival or even a future threat. This detailed report directly incites Joab's vengeful and strategic response.

2 Samuel 3 23 Bonus section

The seemingly simple declaration "he is gone in peace" (בְּשָׁלֹום, b'shalom) carries immense theological and practical weight within the Hebrew worldview. It encapsulates not just the absence of conflict but a holistic sense of well-being, reconciliation, and divine favor. Joab's subsequent act of murder is a direct affront to this shalom—not only Abner's personal shalom but also the shalom that David sought to establish for the divided kingdom. Furthermore, it undermines the trust inherent in a peace treaty, particularly when a superior (David) has promised safe passage. This act is not just a personal tragedy but a deep wound to the delicate process of national reconciliation. This tension between personal vindictiveness and God-ordained national peace is a recurring theme in the history of the monarchy.

2 Samuel 3 23 Commentary

2 Samuel 3:23 is a turning point in the narrative of David's consolidation of power. It highlights the stark contrast between David's genuine pursuit of national unity and peace (manifested in sending Abner "in peace") and Joab's self-serving, violent vindictiveness. The messenger's words convey the successful diplomatic efforts between David and Abner, emphasizing David's sincerity in making peace with his former adversary. "Going in peace" was a covenantal assurance, a promise of safe passage and good faith. Joab's reception of this news, rather than acknowledging David's statesmanship or the positive steps towards unity, triggers his premeditated murder of Abner. This act not only violates the spirit of reconciliation but also creates an immediate crisis for David, forcing him to distance himself from Joab's bloody deed. The verse foreshadows the ongoing tension between David's righteous reign and the pragmatic, often brutal, actions of his trusted but morally flawed commander. It is a potent reminder of how personal grievances and ambition can subvert broader divine purposes for peace and unity.