God’s Word Translation
2 Samuel 3:1
1As the war between the royal families of Saul and David dragged on, David’s family became stronger and stronger, and Saul’s family became weaker and weaker.
2 Samuel 3:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
- New International Version (NIV)The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
- English Standard Version (ESV)There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
Context of 2 Samuel 3:1
As the war between the royal families of Saul and David dragged on, David’s family became stronger and stronger, and Saul’s family became weaker and weaker. 2Sons were born to David while he was in Hebron. His first son was Amnon, ⌞born⌟ to Ahinoam from Jezreel. 3The second was Chileab, ⌞born⌟ to Abigail (who had been Nabal’s wife) from Carmel. The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah (the daughter of King Talmai) from Geshur.
Read all of 2 Samuel 32 Samuel 3:1 word by word
וַתְּהִ֤י הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ אֲרֻכָּ֔ה בֵּ֚ין בֵּ֣ית שָׁא֔וּל וּבֵ֖ין בֵּ֣ית דָּוִ֑ד וְדָוִד֙ הֹלֵ֣ךְ וְחָזֵ֔ק וּבֵ֥ית שָׁא֖וּל הֹלְכִ֥ים וְדַלִּֽים׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 3:1
- 1 Kings 14:30There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam as long as they lived.
- 1 Kings 15:16There was war between Asa and King Baasha of Israel as long as they lived.
- Genesis 3:15I will make you and the woman hostile toward each other. I will make your descendants and her descendant hostile toward each other. He will crush your head, and you will bruise his heel.”
- Psalms 45:3O warrior, strap your sword to your side with your splendor and majesty.
- Matthew 10:35I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
- Galatians 5:17What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don’t always do what you intend to do.
- Ephesians 6:12This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world.
- 2 Samuel 2:17Fierce fighting broke out that day, and David’s men defeated Abner and the men of Israel.
- Esther 6:13There, Haman began to relate in detail to his wife Zeresh and to all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his counselors and his wife Zeresh told him, “You are starting to lose power to Mordecai. If Mordecai is of Jewish descent, you will never win out over him. He will certainly lead to your downfall.”
- Job 8:7Then what you had in the past will seem small compared with the great prosperity you’ll have in the future.
- Job 17:9Yet, the righteous person clings to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger.
- Psalms 84:7Their strength grows as they go along until each one of them appears in front of God in Zion.
- Proverbs 4:18But the path of righteous people is like the light of dawn that becomes brighter and brighter until it reaches midday.
- Daniel 2:34While you were watching, a stone was cut out, but not by humans. It struck the statue’s iron-and-clay feet and smashed them.
- Revelation 6:2Then I looked, and there was a white horse, and its rider had a bow. He was given a crown and rode off as a warrior to win battles.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 3:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1There was long war - Frequent battles and skirmishes took place between the followers of David and the followers of Ish-bosheth, after the two years mentioned above, to the end of the fifth year, in which Ish-bosheth was slain by Rechab and Baanah.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1David's power increases His family. (1-6) Abner revolts to David. (7-21) Joab kills Abner David mourns for him. (22-39) Verses 1-6 The length of this war tried the faith and patience of David, and made his settlement at last the more welcome. The contest between grace and corruption in the hearts of believers, may fitly be compared to this warfare. There is a long war between them, the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1the war … was protracted: This civil war likely lasted for most of the more than seven years that David ruled from Hebron. The truce called by Joab and Abner did not last long (2 Samuel 2:26–28).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-52Sa 3:1-5. Six Sons Born to David. 1. there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David--The rival parties had varying success, but David's interest steadily increased; less, however, by the fortunes of war, than a growing adherence to him as the divinely designated king.Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 3:1
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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