2 Samuel 3 25

2 Samuel 3:25 kjv

Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

2 Samuel 3:25 nkjv

Surely you realize that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you, to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing."

2 Samuel 3:25 niv

You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing."

2 Samuel 3:25 esv

You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing."

2 Samuel 3:25 nlt

You know perfectly well that he came to spy on you and find out everything you're doing!"

2 Samuel 3 verses

2 Samuel 3 25 Meaning

2 Samuel 3:25 conveys Joab's accusation to King David regarding Abner, who had just visited David to negotiate bringing all Israel under David's rule. Joab claims that Abner's visit was not made with honest intentions for peace and alliance, but was a deceptive maneuver. Abner's purpose, according to Joab, was to observe David's strategic movements and gather intelligence on all of David's affairs, thereby gaining an advantage to exploit or act against him. This statement serves as Joab's self-justification for assassinating Abner.

2 Samuel 3 25 Context

The events surrounding 2 Samuel 3:25 unfold during a volatile period after the death of King Saul. David, having been anointed king over Judah (2 Sam 2:4), faces opposition from Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, who reigns over the northern tribes of Israel with Abner, Saul's former commander, as his powerful general. Abner, angered by Ish-bosheth and likely seeing the inevitable rise of David, shifts his allegiance and pledges to bring all Israel under David's dominion (2 Sam 3:6-12). He visits David in Hebron to finalize the covenant, which David accepts (2 Sam 3:21).

After Abner departs, Joab, David's military commander, returns to Hebron and hears of Abner's visit. Joab nurses a bitter resentment towards Abner, not only as a former rival but also as the killer of his brother Asahel in a prior battle (2 Sam 2:18-23). Fearing Abner's potential influence with David and fueled by a desire for vengeance, Joab confronts David with this very accusation—that Abner came to deceive him. Despite David's trust in Abner's new allegiance, Joab acts independently, sending for Abner and ambushing him outside the city gate, brutally murdering him in cold blood. This verse, therefore, represents Joab's attempt to poison David's mind against Abner, fabricating a strategic motive to justify a personal act of vengeance and eliminate a potential rival for power in David's court. David later distances himself from Joab's act, mourning Abner publicly.

2 Samuel 3 25 Word analysis

• Thou knowest: Hebrew Yada' (יָדַעְתָּ) – You know. Implies Joab is appealing to what he presumes is David's existing suspicion or awareness, presenting his claim not as new information but as a reminder of an obvious truth. It attempts to gain immediate credibility by invoking a shared understanding, potentially manipulating David's perspective.
• Abner: אָבְנֵר ('Abnēr) – A powerful military commander, Saul's cousin, and effective leader of Israel's forces under Ish-bosheth. His very name carries significant weight as a primary antagonist to David for seven years and a figure of immense military prowess.
• that he came: Bo' (בָּא) – To come. Simply indicates his arrival. The verb form implies a definite purpose or mission for his presence.
• to deceive thee: Hebrew lephattot (לְפַתּוֹת) – A Piel infinitive of pata (פָּתָה), meaning "to entice, persuade, deceive, mislead, trick." In this context, it implies an insidious, calculated intention to lead David astray or exploit his trust under false pretenses. It's a strong accusation of malice hidden beneath an apparent gesture of peace.
• and to know thy going out and thy coming in: Hebrew lāḏaʿaṯ tzē'tḵā uvo'eḵā (לָדַעַת צֵאתְךָ וּבוֹאֶךָ) – Literally "to know your going out and your coming in." This is a significant Hebrew idiom referring to a person's entire conduct, activity, and sphere of operation. It implies knowledge of one's comings and goings, their plans, movements, secrets, vulnerabilities, and the extent of their authority or access. For a leader like David, knowing his "going out and coming in" would mean having full intelligence on his military strategies, political dealings, daily routine, and weaknesses. Joab's accusation points to an act of espionage.
• and to know all that thou doest: Hebrew lāḏaʿaṯ kol-ǎšer ta‘ăseh (לָדַעַת כֹּל אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה) – "To know all that you do." This broadens the scope from physical movement to encompass every single action, decision, plan, and secret. It intensifies the accusation of espionage, suggesting Abner was trying to gather comprehensive intelligence to betray or undermine David, rather than seeking genuine peace. This reinforces the idea of comprehensive surveillance for malicious intent.

2 Samuel 3 25 Bonus section

The nature of Joab's accusation, claiming Abner came "to deceive" and "to know your going out and your coming in," echoes a long-standing human tension: discerning genuine intentions from cunning disguise. In spiritual terms, this highlights the call for believers to be wise as serpents yet innocent as doves (Matt 10:16), understanding that not all who approach with overtures of peace genuinely seek what is good. This biblical episode serves as a powerful reminder of the prevalence of political intrigue and personal vendetta even within the inner circles of power, directly challenging the king's peace efforts. The irony lies in Joab himself employing deception (summoning Abner back peacefully, then ambushing him) for a deceitful motive (revenge) while accusing Abner of similar actions. David's response—mourning Abner and distancing himself from Joab's act—emphasizes his commitment to justice and his disapproval of Joab's extra-legal violence, which would plague David throughout his reign.

2 Samuel 3 25 Commentary

2 Samuel 3:25 reveals Joab's deeply calculating and suspicious character, acting from a place of intense personal rivalry and vengeful motives rather than pure loyalty to David or the kingdom's welfare. His accusation against Abner is meticulously crafted, tapping into potential concerns about national security and royal vulnerabilities. The use of the idiom "going out and coming in" highlights the seriousness of the alleged espionage, painting Abner as an infiltrator seeking to compromise David's operations and potentially his life or reign.

While Joab frames Abner's visit as a cynical ploy for intelligence, the larger narrative context, particularly David's reaction of deep sorrow and public mourning (2 Sam 3:31-39), suggests that David did not believe Abner's intentions were solely malicious, or at least that Abner had sincerely turned his heart towards peace. Joab's words serve not only as a purported warning but more significantly as a cynical justification for his cold-blooded murder of Abner. It underscores the corrupting nature of ambition and revenge, even among those serving God's anointed, showing how personal agendas can distort truth and lead to unrighteous acts, creating lasting challenges for leaders like David.