2 Samuel 3 36

2 Samuel 3:36 kjv

And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

2 Samuel 3:36 nkjv

Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people.

2 Samuel 3:36 niv

All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.

2 Samuel 3:36 esv

And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people.

2 Samuel 3:36 nlt

This pleased the people very much. In fact, everything the king did pleased them!

2 Samuel 3 verses

2 Samuel 3 36 Meaning

This verse highlights the universal approval of King David's actions regarding Abner's death. The people observed David's sincere and public mourning, and his clear detachment from Joab's treacherous act of murder. This public display of grief and innocence satisfied the entire populace, solidifying their trust and confirming David as a just and righteous leader in their eyes.

2 Samuel 3 36 Context

Chapter 3 of 2 Samuel details the protracted civil war between the house of David (based in Hebron) and the house of Saul (led by Ish-bosheth with Abner as his commander). As David's power grew, Abner, disenchanted with Ish-bosheth, negotiated a peace treaty with David. However, Abner was ambushed and murdered by Joab, David's military commander, in revenge for Joab's brother Asahel. This act put David in a precarious position, as he could be suspected of orchestrating Abner's death to remove a rival. David's response was swift and decisive: he publicly disavowed any involvement, genuinely mourned Abner, ordered a public funeral, cursed Joab, and fasted to further demonstrate his innocence and grief. Verse 36 describes the public's positive reception of David's response, which cemented his image as a just ruler untouched by the treacherous act.

2 Samuel 3 36 Word analysis

• And all the people: (וְכָל־הָעָם֙ - wə-ḵāl-hā-ʻām)
  • Significance: Emphasizes the unanimous and broad consensus across the entire populace, indicating collective observation and judgment. This was crucial for establishing national legitimacy in a society divided between two reigning houses.
• took notice: (יָכְּרוּ - yākə-rū)
  • Original language: Derived from the Hebrew root נכר (nakar), meaning "to know," "to recognize," "to observe attentively," or "to discern."
  • Significance: This is not passive observation, but active recognition. The people understood David's actions and intentions; they discerned his genuine grief and disassociation from Joab's perfidy. They saw through the political maneuvering to David's character.
• and were pleased: (וַיִּיטַב֙ - way-yî-ṭaḇ)
  • Original language: From the Hebrew root יטב (yatav), meaning "to be good," "to be pleasing," "to be right," "to be well."
  • Significance: It means David's actions found favor, agreement, or approval. This term conveys deep satisfaction and affirmation of David's righteousness in the people's eyes, effectively counteracting any suspicion of his involvement in Abner's murder.
• indeed, just as the king did, so it was good: (כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂה הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ יָטַב֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י כָל־הָעָם֮ - kāl-ʼăšer ʻāśāh ham-melek yāṭaḇ bə-ʻê-nê ḵāl-hā-ʻām)
  • Significance: This repetition of the idea ("it was good/pleased them") underscores the profound acceptance. "Whatever the king did" (referring to his response concerning Abner's death, his mourning, cursing Joab) was fully endorsed by the people. This phrasing solidifies the people's confidence in David's integrity, even when confronted with a complex and politically charged situation.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And all the people took notice and were pleased": This phrase highlights the critical role of public perception in an ancient monarchy. For a leader to gain full support, his actions must not only be right but also seen and accepted as right by the general populace. It speaks to the transparency of David's actions and the clarity with which they were perceived.
• "indeed, just as the king did, so it was good in the eyes of all the people": This expresses profound popular validation. It conveys that David's character and conduct consistently aligned with the people's sense of justice and propriety. It indicates a significant moment of trust-building, setting David apart from other rulers who might operate through cunning and hidden agendas, demonstrating a divine standard for kingship over typical political expediency.

2 Samuel 3 36 Bonus section

This verse highlights the immense significance of integrity and righteous leadership in gaining and maintaining the trust of the populace, a principle timeless in its application for anyone in authority. David's response to Abner's death was not just an emotional outburst; it was a strategically wise, morally upright, and deeply genuine reaction that secured his claim to the throne not through military might or political machination, but through the earned trust and affection of his people. This foreshadows a pattern where God-honoring conduct often leads to widespread favor, distinguishing divine appointment from worldly ambition. The consensus ("all the people") validates David's legitimacy and the wisdom of God's choice in him.

2 Samuel 3 36 Commentary

2 Samuel 3:36 serves as a pivotal validation point in David's ascendancy to the throne over all Israel. Following the unexpected and treacherous murder of Abner by Joab, David was at high risk of being perceived as complicit, which could have derailed his kingdom. However, his public response – including genuine lament, ordering a solemn funeral, cursing the perpetrators (Joab and his house), and fasting – was seen by the entire nation not as a calculated political maneuver but as an authentic expression of grief and a firm commitment to justice. This transparency and righteousness resonated deeply with the people. It demonstrated that David was not a king who would profit from evil, nor one who tolerated injustice, even from his own family or close associates. This portrayal stood in contrast to typical power plays of the time and affirmed David as a divinely appointed king, whose actions met both God's standard of justice and the people's expectation of a righteous leader. This moment consolidated their unwavering loyalty and set the stage for David's unified rule over all Israel.