2 Samuel 3

1 Now the war [long and protracted, a prolonged battle] between the house [family, dynasty, or kingdom] of Saul [Shaul, meaning desired] and the house [family, dynasty, or kingdom] of David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Judah] was [existed, came into being] protracted [long, drawn out]. And David [the anointed king] grew [walked, went] stronger [more powerful, increasing in intensity] and stronger [more powerful, louder], while the house [family, dynasty, or kingdom] of Saul [Shaul, meaning desired] grew [walked, went] weaker [less powerful, poor, or in need of help] and weaker. word study 2 And sons [children, descendants] were born [to beget, brought forth] to David [the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah] in Hebron [a place in Palestine, a city of refuge]: His firstborn [oldest child, holding a special status] was Amnon [faithful, but with a tragic story], by Ahinoam [one of David’s wives, from Jezreel] of Jezreel [a city in Palestine, also known as the Jezreelitess]; word study 3 his second [next in order, duplicate] was Chileab, by Abigail [a wise and kind Israelite woman] the widow [a woman who has lost her husband] of Nabal [a foolish Israelite] of Carmel [an inhabitant of Mount Carmel]; his third was Absalom, the son [a male child, descendant] of Maacah [meaning oppression, a woman’s name] daughter [a female child, woman] of King [a ruler, monarch] Talmai [a Canaanite and Syrian] of Geshur [a district in Syria, a land in north Transjordania]; word study 4 his fourth was Adonijah [a son of David, a name meaning my Lord is Yahweh], the son [a descendant, offspring] of Haggith [a wife of King David, meaning festive]; his fifth was Shephatiah [a son of David, a name meaning Yahweh has judged], the son [a descendant, offspring] of Abital [a wife of King David, meaning my father is dew]; word study 5 and his sixth was Ithream, by David’s [the king of Judah, youngest son of Jesse] wife Eglah [one of David’s wives, mother of Ithream]. These [specific] sons were born [to beget, brought forth] to David in Hebron [a place in Palestine, a city of refuge]. word study 6 During the war [a time of conflict] between the house of Saul [the dynasty of the first king of Israel] and the house of David [the lineage of the future king], Abner [a prominent Israelite and army captain] had continued to strengthen [to make strong, to seize or conquer] his position [his influence and power] in the house of Saul [the supporters of the former king]. word study 7 Meanwhile, Saul [Shaul, the desired one] had a concubine [a secondary wife, a woman who lives with a man but is not his wife] named Rizpah [mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth], the daughter [Bath, a female child or woman] of Aiah [meaning falcon]. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner [the army captain, cousin of King Saul], “Why [seeking to understand the reason] did you sleep with [go in to, have sexual relations with] my father’s [Abi, a male parent or ancestor] concubine [a woman who lives with a man but is not his wife]?” word study 8 Abner was furious [exceedingly angry, incensed] over Ish-bosheth’s accusation [words, charge]. “Am I the head [the topmost part of the body] of a dog [despised one, lowly creature] that belongs to Judah [the tribe of Judah, God’s chosen people]?” he asked. “All this time [day, period] I have been loyal [faithful, showing kindness] to the house [family, dynasty] of your father Saul [Shaul, the first king of Israel], to his brothers [relatives, kin], and to his friends [companions, allies]. I have not delivered [given, handed over] you into the hand [power, control] of David [the future king, God’s anointed], but now you accuse [charge, reckon] me of wrongdoing [iniquity, sin] with this woman [female, wife]! word study 9 May God [the supreme Judge, Elohim] punish Abner, and ever so severely [more also, to the utmost degree], if I do not do for David [as his loyal servant, to fulfill his destiny] what the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant-keeping God] has sworn [made a solemn oath, promised] to him: word study 10 to transfer [remove, take away] the kingdom [dominion, royal power] from the house [family, dynasty] of Saul [Shaul, the first king of Israel] and to establish [set up, confirm] the throne [seat of authority, royal rule] of David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Judah] over Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people] and Judah [the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob], from Dan [the northernmost city of Israel] to Beersheba [the southernmost city of Israel].” word study 11 And for fear [great awe, reverence] of Abner [the prominent Israelite leader], Ish-bosheth did not dare [was unable, lacked courage] to say [utter, speak] another word [thing, matter] to him. word study 12 Then Abner [the army captain, cousin of King Saul] sent messengers [representatives] in his place to say to David, “To whom [whose authority, what person] does the land [the earth, territory] belong? Make your covenant [agreement, promise] with me, and surely my hand [strength, power] will be with you [in alliance, together] to bring all [every part, the whole] Israel [the descendants of Jacob] over to you [to your side, in support].” word study 13 “Good [pleasant, beneficial, or favorable],” replied David, “I will make a covenant [agreement, treaty, or promise] with you. But there is one thing I require of you: Do not appear [come into my presence, or see my face] before me unless you bring [first bring, or come with] Saul’s daughter Michal [the wife of David, or the daughter of the king] when you come [approach, or visit] to see me [to appear before me, or to visit my presence].” word study 14 Then David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Judah] sent messengers [representatives] to say to Ish-bosheth [Eshbaal] son of Saul, “Give me back [deliver, restore] my wife [female companion, partner], Michal, whom I betrothed [promised to marry, engaged] to myself for a hundred [numerous, many] Philistine [uncircumcised, pagan] foreskins.” word study 15 So Ish-bosheth [King Saul’s son, Eshbaal] sent [dispatched, commanded] and took [received, brought away] Michal from her husband [spouse, male partner] Paltiel [God delivers, rescuer] son of Laish [lion, courageous one]. word study 16 Her husband [accompanied, went with] followed her, weeping [in sorrow, lamenting] all the way to Bahurim [a town in Benjamin]. Then Abner [Saul’s cousin, Israelite leader] said to him, “Go back [return, turn back].” So he returned [turned back, went back] home. word study 17 Now Abner [the army captain, cousin of King Saul] conferred [had communication, spoke with] with the elders [old, wise, and experienced men] of Israel and said, “In the past [yesterday, three days ago, times past] you sought [searched for, desired] David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Judah] as your king [ruler, leader, monarch]. word study 18 Now [at this time, currently] take action, because the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has said to David, ‘Through My servant [one who serves, a bondservant] David I will save [rescue, deliver] My people [nation, descendants] Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, his descendants] from the hands [power, control] of the Philistines [inhabitants of Philistia] and of all [every, the entirety] their enemies [those who oppose, adversaries].’” word study 19 Abner [the army captain, cousin of King Saul] also spoke to the Benjamites [the people of the tribe of Benjamin, son of the right hand] and went to Hebron [a place in Palestine, a city of refuge] to tell David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Judah] all that seemed good [pleasant, beneficial, or pleasing] to Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, referring to his descendants] and to the whole house [family, dwelling place] of Benjamin [the youngest son of Jacob and the tribe that descended from him]. word study 20 When Abner [a prominent Israelite, cousin of King Saul] and twenty [a group of, approximately] of his men came [approached, drew near] to David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Judah] at Hebron [a place in Palestine, a city of refuge], David held [prepared, made] a feast [a banquet, a celebratory meal] for them [Abner and his companions, as a sign of hospitality]. word study 21 Then Abner [the prominent Israelite army captain] said to David, “Let me go at once [immediately, without delay], and I will gather [collect, assemble] all Israel to my lord [master, ruler] the king, that they may make a covenant [agreement, promise] with you, and that you may rule over [reign, have dominion] all that your heart [soul, deepest desires] desires [longs for, wishes].” So David dismissed [sent away, released] Abner, and he went in peace [shalom, completeness and wellness]. word study 22 Just then David’s soldiers [servants, warriors] and Joab returned from a raid [a foray, a military expedition], bringing with them a great plunder [spoil, booty]. But Abner [the army captain, Saul’s cousin] was not with David in Hebron [the city, a place of alliance] because David had sent him on his way [dismissed him, let him go] in peace [shalom, completeness, wellness]. word study 23 When Joab [a prominent Israelite, nephew of King David] and all [the entire army, every single troop] his troops arrived, he was informed, “Abner [cousin of King Saul] son of Ner came to see [approach, visit] the king [the monarch, ruler], who sent him on his way [dismissed, let him go] in peace [shalom, completeness, wellness].” word study 24 So Joab [the king’s nephew and army general] went to the king and said, “What [why or how] have you done? Look [behold], Abner [the prominent Israelite and army captain] came to you. Why [for what reason] did you dismiss [send away] him? Now he is getting away [quite gone, departed]! word study 25 Surely you realize [are aware, have knowledge of] that Abner [the son of Ner, a prominent Israelite] son of Ner came to deceive [to trick, entice] you and to track [know, understand] your movements [going out and coming in, daily activities] and all that you are doing [every action, all your endeavors].” word study 26 As soon as Joab [the nephew of King David, Israel’s army general] had left [come out from, departed] David, he sent [dispatched, commanded to go] messengers [representatives] after [in pursuit of, to overtake] Abner [Saul’s cousin, Israel’s army captain], who brought him back [returned, came back with] from the well [cistern, pit] of Sirah [a turning point, possibly a well on the road north from Hebron]; but David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Judah] was unaware [did not know, had no knowledge] of it. word study 27 When Abner [the prominent Israelite, cousin of King Saul] returned [to turn back, as if to retrace his steps] to Hebron [a place of alliance and friendship], Joab [Jehovah is father, King David’s nephew and army general] pulled him aside [to stretch or spread out, into a private space] into the gateway [the middle of the gate, a place of entrance and exit], as if to speak [to communicate, to convey a message] to him privately [in quietness, with stillness], and there [in that specific location, at that moment] Joab stabbed [to smite, to strike with force] him in the stomach [the belly, the abdomen, a vital part of the body]. So Abner died [to die, to cease living, as a punishment] on account of [because of, due to] the blood [the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life] of Joab’s brother [a male sibling, a close relative] Asahel [God-made, a nephew of King David]. word study 28 Afterward [later, when David heard about it], David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Judah] heard about this and said, “I [the speaker, referring to himself] and my kingdom [a ruler’s power or territory] are forever [for eternity, without end] guiltless [innocent, morally clean] before the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] concerning the blood [the liquid that flows through the body] of Abner [a prominent Israelite, cousin of King Saul] son of Ner [an Israelite man who lived during the time of the United Monarchy]. word study 29 May it whirl [twist in agony, dance in fear] over the heads of Joab [Jehovah is father, prominent Israelite] and the entire house [family, descendants] of his father, and may the house [dynasty, lineage] of Joab never be without one having a discharge [flowing, wasting away] or skin disease [leprosy, affliction], or one who leans [is supported, is crippled] on a staff [walking stick, crutch] or falls [is defeated, is slain] by the sword [cutting instrument, weapon] or lacks [is in need, is wanting] food [bread, sustenance].” word study 30 (Joab [the Lord is father] and his brother Abishai [my father is Jesse] murdered [slew, put to death] Abner [the father of light] because he had killed [slain, murdered] their brother Asahel [God has made] in the battle [war, conflict] at Gibeon [a Levitical city].) word study 31 Then David [the king of Judah, a man after God’s heart] ordered Joab [his army general, nephew] and all the people [the nation of Israel, his followers] with him, “Tear [rend, rip apart] your clothes, put on [gird yourselves with] sackcloth [a coarse cloth], and mourn [lament, express deep sorrow] before Abner [Saul’s cousin, a prominent Israelite].” And King David [the ruler of Israel, a leader] himself walked [followed, went behind] behind the funeral bier. word study 32 When they buried [laid to rest, interred] Abner [the army captain, cousin of King Saul] in Hebron [the city, a place of rest], the king [the monarch, ruler] wept [cried loudly, mourned] aloud [with a loud voice, openly] at Abner’s tomb [grave, sepulchre], and all [the entire nation, every person] the people [the Israelites, the crowd] wept [shed tears, lamented]. word study 33 And the king [mourning and lamenting] sang this lament [a song of grief] for Abner: “Should Abner [a prominent Israelite leader] die [meet his end, perish] the death [a violent or untimely end] of a fool [a wicked or unwise person, one who acts stupidly or against God]? word study 34 Your hands [not tied or bound] were not bound, your feet [not in shackles or chains] were not fettered. As a man falls [before wicked men or the children of iniquity] before the wicked, so also you fell [like a murderer’s victim or one defeated].” And all [every single one] the people wept [shed tears, cried out in sorrow] over him even more [again, with increased intensity]. word study 35 Then all [every single one] the people came and urged David to eat [partake of, consume] something while it was still [yet, during the remainder of] day, but David took an oath [swore a solemn promise], saying, “May God [Elohim, the supreme Judge] punish me, and ever so severely [with great intensity], if I taste [experience, savor] bread [food, nourishment] or anything else [any other thing, something additional] before the sun [the celestial body] sets [goes down, disappears from sight]!” word study 36 All [the entire nation, every person] the people [Amaw, a nation or community] took note [recognized, acknowledged, discerned] and were pleased [satisfied, content, joyful]. In fact, everything [all, every action] the king [King’s, a royal person, monarch] did [made, performed, accomplished] pleased [was good, acceptable, pleasing] them [the people, the nation]. word study 37 So on that day [in that specific time, at that moment] all the troops [the entire army, every soldier] and all Israel [the entire nation, every person] were convinced [fully understood, had no doubt] that the king [the ruler, the monarch] had no part [was not involved, had no responsibility] in the murder [the killing, the slaying] of Abner [the commander, the leader] son of Ner [the descendant, the offspring]. word study 38 Then the king [ruler, monarch] said to his servants [attendants, slaves], “Do you not realize [know, understand] that a great [powerful, noble] prince [leader, commander] has fallen [died, been killed] today [on this day, at this time] in Israel [the people of God, the chosen nation]? word study 39 And I am weak [tender, lacking strength] this day [a period of time, a season], though anointed [set apart, consecrated] as king [a ruler, a monarch], and these men [individuals, persons], the sons [descendants, offspring] of Zeruiah [balsam tree], are too fierce [severe, harsh] for me. May the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] repay [reward, recompense] the evildoer [one who does bad, a wrongdoer] according to his evil [moral wrong, wickedness]!” word study