2 Samuel 3:17

2 Samuel 3:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
• New International Version (NIV)Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, "For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, “In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you.

Context of 2 Samuel 3:17

15So Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish [to whom Saul had given her]. 16But her husband went with her, weeping continually behind her as far as Bahurim. Then Abner told him, “Go, return.” And he did so. Abner talked with the elders (tribal leaders) of Israel, saying, “In times past you were seeking for David to be king over you. 18Now then, do it [and make him king]! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.’ ” 19Abner also spoke to [the men of] Benjamin. Then he also went to tell David at Hebron everything that seemed good to Israel and to the entire house of Benjamin.

2 Samuel 3:17 word by word

וּדְבַר־אַבְנֵ֣ר הָיָ֔ה עִם־זִקְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר גַּם־תְּמוֹל֙ גַּם־שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם הֱיִיתֶ֞ם מְבַקְשִׁ֧ים אֶת־דָּוִ֛ד לְמֶ֖לֶךְ עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Abnerאֲבִינֵר'abnêr 'ăbîynêr · AbnerH74
• had communicationדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• had communicationהָיָהhâyâh · to beH1961
• with the eldersזָקֵןzâqên · old: elderH2205
• of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• sayingאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Ye soughtבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• for Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• in timesתְּמוֹלtemôl temôl · yesterdayH8543
• pastשִׁלְשֹׁםshilshôm shilshôm · three days agoH8032
• kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 3:17

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Ye sought for David … - Compare 1 Samuel 18:5. It was only by Abner‘s great influence that the elders of Israel had been restrained hitherto from declaring for David, and this accounts for Ish-bosheth‘s helpless submission to his uncle‘s dictation.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-21Verses 7-21 Many, like Abner, are not above committing base crimes, who are too proud to bear reproof, or even the suspicion of being guilty. While men go on in sin, and apparently without concern, they are often conscious that they are fighting against God. Many mean to serve their own purposes; and will betray those who trust them, when they can get any advantage. Yet the Lord serves his own designs, even by those who are thus actuated by revenge…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17It seems that support among the elders of Israel in the north had been growing to accept David as king, even though the text has not mentioned this earlier.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2117-21. Abner had communication with the elders of Israel--He spoke the truth in impressing their minds with the well-known fact of David's divine designation to the kingdom. But he acted a base and hypocritical part in pretending that his present movement was prompted by religious motives, when it sprang entirely from malice and revenge against Ish-bosheth. The particular appeal of the Benjamites was a necessary policy; their tribe enjoyed the honor of…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Samuel 3:17

• Abner
• Conspiracy
• Government
• Treason

In the dictionaries

• Abner
• David
• Israel
• Israel, Israelites
• Jacob, Israel
• Communication
• Ishbosheth
• Rizpah
• Sackcloth
• Translate

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings