2 Samuel 3 37

2 Samuel 3:37 kjv

For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

2 Samuel 3:37 nkjv

For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king's intent to kill Abner the son of Ner.

2 Samuel 3:37 niv

So on that day all the people there and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.

2 Samuel 3:37 esv

So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king's will to put to death Abner the son of Ner.

2 Samuel 3:37 nlt

So everyone in Judah and all Israel understood that David was not responsible for Abner's murder.

2 Samuel 3 verses

2 Samuel 3 37 Meaning

This verse states the immediate and profound understanding across all segments of the population in Israel: that King David was unequivocally not responsible for, nor had any part in, the treacherous killing of Abner, the commander of Saul's army. It highlights the successful vindication of David's character and legitimacy as king, countering any potential suspicion that might arise from Abner's death occurring just after he pledged allegiance to David. David's visible, public, and genuine mourning served to dispel doubts and affirm his innocence in the eyes of his people.

2 Samuel 3 37 Context

2 Samuel chapter 3 details a critical period in David's consolidation of power. Ish-Bosheth's fragile reign over Israel, orchestrated by Abner, crumbles after Abner defects to David's side following a dispute. Abner, a formidable military leader and key figure, then negotiates with Israelite elders to transfer their allegiance to David. David warmly receives Abner, promising to unite all Israel. However, Joab, David's hot-headed commander, murders Abner in revenge for the death of his brother Asahel and potentially to eliminate a perceived rival. This act threatened to destabilize David's kingdom, suggesting he was either complicit in Abner's death or unable to control his own men. In response, David vehemently condemns the act, curses Joab, and performs public and elaborate mourning rituals for Abner, demanding all his men grieve alongside him. Verse 37 specifically affirms that David's demonstrative actions successfully conveyed his innocence to the entire nation, reinforcing their trust in his leadership as righteous and just.

2 Samuel 3 37 Word analysis

• So all the people (וְכָל-הָעָם - wə-ḵāl-hāʿām):

  • וְכָל- (wə-ḵāl-): "and all." This highlights the comprehensiveness of the understanding. Not just a select few, but the entire populace, indicating broad consensus and conviction. It underscores the public nature and success of David's actions in vindicating himself.
  • הָעָם (hāʿām): "the people." Refers to the general populace, the masses. This general term is soon expanded upon.

• and all Israel (וְכָל-יִשְׂרָאֵל - wə-ḵāl-yiśrāʾēl):

  • This phrase emphasizes the universality of the understanding, extending beyond the people gathered directly in Hebron (where David was) to the wider Israelite nation, including those who had previously followed Ish-Bosheth. It signifies a collective national recognition. The doubling "all the people and all Israel" ensures there is no doubt about the widespread nature of the conviction, reinforcing the idea of total exoneration.

• understood (יָדְעוּ - yāḏĕʿû):

  • From the root יָדַע (yada), meaning "to know" or "to understand." In Hebrew thought, yada often signifies more than mere intellectual knowledge; it implies experiential, intimate, or thorough knowing. Here, it suggests a deep conviction, a grasp of the truth based on the overwhelming evidence of David's actions (mourning, fasting, cursing Joab). They didn't just hear; they apprehended the truth of the situation with their hearts.

• that day (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא - bay-yōwm ha-hūʾ):

  • "on that day." This phrase points to the immediacy and impact of David's response. The public mourning and David's open grief were so compelling that the truth became clear without delay. It marks a decisive moment where perceptions shifted rapidly and definitively.

• that the king had not been involved (כִּי לֹא מֵהַמֶּלֶךְ - kî lōʾ mê-ham-meleḵ):

  • כִּי (kî): "that," introduces the substance of their understanding.
  • לֹא (lōʾ): "not," the negating particle, firmly denying any complicity.
  • מֵהַמֶּלֶךְ (mê-ham-meleḵ): "from the king." This is a crucial phrase. It doesn't just mean David was unaware, but that the act did not originate from him, nor was it authorized by him, nor was he the source or cause of the action. It completely absolves him of responsibility, conspiracy, or command concerning Abner's death. It points to a distinct and separate act by Joab.

• in the killing of Abner the son of Ner (לְהָמִית אֶת-אַבְנֵר בֶּן-נֵר - lə-hā-mîṯ ʾeṯ-ʾaḇnēr ben-nēr):

  • לְהָמִית (lə-hā-mîṯ): "to put to death" or "to slay." The infinitive construct form derived from the verb מוּת (mût), "to die," used here in the Hiphil causative stem, meaning "to cause to die" or "to kill." This makes clear that the issue was the deliberate act of killing.
  • אֶת-אַבְנֵר בֶּן-נֵר (ʾeṯ-ʾaḇnēr ben-nēr): "Abner, son of Ner." Abner is identified formally, acknowledging his significant identity as the commander of Saul's army. His identity is well-known, emphasizing the public magnitude of his death.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "So all the people and all Israel understood that day": This phrase highlights the national, widespread, and immediate vindication of David. It speaks to the effectiveness of David's response and the discerning nature of the Israelite population in recognizing true leadership. The double "all" underscores unity in perception.
  • "that the king had not been involved in the killing": This passage definitively separates David's hands from Abner's blood. It addresses head-on any potential political manipulation or suspicion that David orchestrated Abner's death to remove a rival, despite receiving him with favor. It defends David's moral integrity and legitimate claim to the throne.

2 Samuel 3 37 Bonus section

The immediate and universal understanding of David's innocence ("all the people and all Israel understood that day") contrasts sharply with modern perceptions of political assassinations, which often leave lasting doubts and suspicions. David's response was robust enough to override Joab's damaging action, securing the moral high ground. This moment highlights David's spiritual sensitivity and leadership astuteness in a highly charged political landscape. While he couldn't prevent Joab's act, his response demonstrated his righteous indignation, allowing God's clear hand of providence and truth to work through his actions and be plainly perceived by the people. This narrative serves as an example of how sincere, public demonstration of righteousness can counter false accusations and establish trust in leadership, especially when divine mandate is involved.

2 Samuel 3 37 Commentary

2 Samuel 3:37 is a pivotal verse because it marks the successful vindication of David's character at a critical juncture in his consolidation of power. Abner's sudden and treacherous death by Joab threatened to tarnish David's reputation and destabilize the delicate process of unifying Israel. David's profound public mourning, fasting, and vocal denunciation of Joab were not mere performances but sincere expressions of grief and integrity. This verse confirms that these actions achieved their intended purpose: the entire nation understood that David was innocent of Abner's blood. This understanding was crucial for legitimizing David's kingship in the eyes of the people, demonstrating his righteousness, his rejection of underhanded political assassinations, and his sorrow over the disunity and bloodshed. It set David apart from unscrupulous leaders and paved the way for Israel's eventual and full submission to his reign. It portrays David as a king concerned with justice and integrity, despite the moral failures of some around him, showcasing the value of genuine public testimony and actions in upholding truth.