2 Samuel 3:12
New International Version
Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.”

New Living Translation
Then Abner sent messengers to David, saying, “Doesn’t the entire land belong to you? Make a solemn pact with me, and I will help turn over all of Israel to you.”

English Standard Version
And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Abner sent messengers in his place to say to David, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”

King James Bible
And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

New King James Version
Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, “Whose is the land?” saying also, “Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Abner sent messengers to David at his place, saying, “Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”

NASB 1995
Then Abner sent messengers to David in his place, saying, “Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”

NASB 1977
Then Abner sent messengers to David in his place, saying, “Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Abner sent messengers to David in his place, saying, “Whose is the land? Cut your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to turn all Israel over to you.”

Amplified Bible
Then Abner sent messengers to David [who was] in his place [at Hebron], saying, “Whose is the land? Make your covenant (treaty) with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”

Christian Standard Bible
Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to turn all Israel over to you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to hand all Israel over to you.”

American Standard Version
And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

Contemporary English Version
Abner sent some of his men to David with this message: "You should be the ruler of the whole nation. If you make an agreement with me, I will persuade everyone in Israel to make you their king."

English Revised Version
And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Abner sent messengers to David to speak on his behalf. "Who owns this country?" he asked. "Make an agreement with me," he said. "I'll support you and bring all Israel to you."

Good News Translation
Abner sent messengers to David, who at that time was at Hebron, to say, "Who is going to rule this land? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you win all Israel over to your side."

International Standard Version
So Abner sent messengers to David at Hebron to ask him, "Who owns this land? Cut a deal with me, and look!—I'll lend my hand in bringing all of Israel over to you!"

Majority Standard Bible
Then Abner sent messengers in his place to say to David, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”

NET Bible
Then Abner sent messengers to David saying, "To whom does the land belong? Make an agreement with me, and I will do whatever I can to cause all Israel to turn to you."

New Heart English Bible
Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, "Whose is the land?" and saying, "Make an agreement with me, and look, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Israel around to you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel to thee.

World English Bible
Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and saying, “Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand will be with you to bring all Israel around to you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abner sends messengers to David for himself, saying, “Whose [is] the land?” [And] saying, “Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand [is] with you, to bring around all Israel to you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Abner sendeth messengers unto David for himself, saying, 'Whose is the land?' saying, 'Make thy covenant with me, and lo, my hand is with thee, to bring round unto thee all Israel.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abner will send messengers to David for his sake, saying, To whom the land? saying, Cut out thy covenant with me, and behold, my hand with thee to turn about to thee all Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Abner therefore sent messengers to David for himself, saying: Whose is the land? and that they should say: Make a league with me, and my hand shall be with thee: and I will bring all Israel to thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, Abner sent messengers to David for himself, saying, “Whose is the land?” and so that they would say, “Make a friendship with me, and my hand will be with you, and I will lead back all of Israel to you.”

New American Bible
Then Abner sent messengers to David in Telam, where he was at the moment, to say, “Make a covenant with me, and you have me on your side, to bring all Israel over to you.”

New Revised Standard Version
Abner sent messengers to David at Hebron, saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and I will give you my support to bring all Israel over to you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abner sent messengers to David, saying, Whose is the land? Now make your covenant with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Israel to you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abnir sent Messengers to David saying, “What is your land? Covenant your covenant with me, and behold, my hand is with you to turn all of Israel to you!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abner sent messengers to David straightway, saying: 'Whose is the land?' saying also: 'Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring over all Israel unto thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abenner sent messengers to David to Thaelam where he was, immediately, saying, Make thy covenant with me, and, behold, my hand is with thee to bring back to thee all the house of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abner Joins David
11And for fear of Abner, Ish-bosheth did not dare to say another word to him. 12Then Abner sent messengers in his place to say to David, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel over to you.” 13“Good,” replied David, “I will make a covenant with you. But there is one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me.”…

Cross References
1 Kings 5:1-12
Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David. / And Solomon relayed this message to Hiram: / “As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet. ...

1 Chronicles 12:38-40
All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king. / They spent three days there eating and drinking with David, for their relatives had provided for them. / And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.

1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1 Samuel 20:16-17
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.” / And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.

1 Samuel 23:18
So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

1 Kings 2:5
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.

1 Kings 11:11-13
Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. / Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. / Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”

1 Kings 11:31-37
and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes. / But one tribe will remain for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. / For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did. ...

1 Kings 12:19-20
So to this day Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David. / When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David.

1 Chronicles 11:1-3
Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

1 Chronicles 12:23
Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD:

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

2 Samuel 5:11
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.

2 Samuel 19:9-10
And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”

2 Samuel 19:41-43
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.


Treasury of Scripture

And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make your league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring about all Israel to you.

Whose

2 Samuel 19:6
In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.

2 Samuel 20:1-13
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel…

Make

Psalm 62:9
Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

Luke 16:5-8
So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? …

my hand

2 Samuel 3:21,27
And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace…

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh…

2 Samuel 19:14,41-43
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants…

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Abner Agreement Behalf Covenant David Getting Hand Hebron Help Israel League Messengers Side Straightway Support Turn
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Abner Agreement Behalf Covenant David Getting Hand Hebron Help Israel League Messengers Side Straightway Support Turn
2 Samuel 3
1. During the war David becomes stronger
2. Six sons are born to him in Hebron
6. Abner, displeased with Ishbosheth
7. revolts to David
13. David requires as a condition to bring him his wife Michal
17. Abner confers with the Israelites, feasted by David, and dismissed
22. Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and kills Abner
28. David curses Joab
31. and mourns for Abner














Then Abner sent messengers
Abner, the son of Ner, was the commander of Saul's army and a significant figure in the power dynamics of Israel following Saul's death. The act of sending messengers indicates a formal and deliberate approach to diplomacy. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sending messengers was a common practice for negotiating alliances or treaties. This action underscores Abner's strategic mindset and his recognition of David's rising influence.

in his place
This phrase suggests that Abner was acting with authority and autonomy, representing his own interests and those of the house of Saul. It highlights the political fragmentation in Israel at the time, with different factions vying for control. Abner's initiative to reach out to David indicates a shift in allegiance and a pragmatic approach to securing his own position in the changing political landscape.

to say to David
David, anointed by God and recognized as the future king of Israel, was gaining strength and support. Abner's communication with David signifies a pivotal moment in the unification of Israel. It reflects the recognition of David's legitimacy and the divine favor upon him, as well as the fulfillment of God's promise to establish David's kingdom.

To whom does the land belong?
This rhetorical question challenges the existing power structures and implies a transfer of loyalty. It suggests that the land, ultimately belonging to God, is to be governed by the one chosen by Him. Abner's question acknowledges David's divine right to rule, aligning with the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nations and leaders.

Make your covenant with me
A covenant in the biblical sense is a solemn and binding agreement, often involving mutual commitments and responsibilities. Abner's proposal for a covenant with David indicates a desire for peace and cooperation. It reflects the biblical principle of reconciliation and the importance of alliances in achieving God's purposes. This covenant would pave the way for the unification of the tribes under David's leadership.

and surely my hand will be with you
The phrase "my hand will be with you" signifies support and allegiance. In the biblical context, the "hand" often symbolizes power and action. Abner's promise of support is a significant gesture, as it implies the transfer of military and political strength to David. This aligns with the biblical narrative of God using individuals to accomplish His divine plans.

to bring all Israel over to you
This statement highlights the goal of unifying the nation under David's rule. The division between the northern tribes and Judah was a significant challenge, and Abner's offer represents a crucial step towards national unity. It reflects the biblical theme of God's desire for His people to be united under righteous leadership, foreshadowing the eventual establishment of a united kingdom under David.

(12) Whose is the land?--These words in themselves may be understood in either of two senses: (1) "Is not the land thine by promise?" or (2) "Who has the power to bring the land into subjection to whom he will except myself?" Since the question is put forward as the basis for making a league with Abner, the latter is evidently the sense intended, and it is quite in accordance with the pride and haughtiness of Abner's character. He proposes a league, that he may have a definite assurance of consideration for himself, and he makes this the price of exerting his influence on David's behalf. The repetition of the word "saying" has occasioned some difficulty to the commentators, but this disappears when it is remembered that the two clauses are separate parts of Abner's message. His messengers were charged first to represent the importance of Abner's influence, and then afterwards to say that he would exert it for David for a satisfactory consideration.

Verse 12. - Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf; Hebrew, under him. The Revised Version renders this "where he was;" but the phrase really means "immediately" (see note on ch. 2:23). And this agrees with the haughty temper of Abner. Without waiting for advice, or allowing his anger to cool, he at once sent trusty envoys to open negotiations with David. Whose is the land? Abner's meaning in these words is plain. You, David, he seems to say, will answer that the land is mine; for Jehovah has promised it to me. But, as a matter of fact, much of the land is mine (Abner's), or at least belongs to the house of Saul, whose prime minister I am. Yours is an abstract right; mine is actual possession. Come, let us make the two agree. Give me fitting assurances of safety and reward, and I will make your claim a reality.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Abner
אַבְנֵ֨ר (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

messengers
מַלְאָכִ֧ים ׀ (mal·’ā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

in his place
תַּחְתָּ֥יו (taḥ·tāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

to say
לֵאמֹ֖ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

David,
דָּוִ֛ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

“To whom [does]
לְמִי־ (lə·mî-)
Preposition-l | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

the land [belong]?
אָ֑רֶץ (’ā·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

Make
כָּרְתָ֤ה (kā·rə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

your covenant
בְרִֽיתְךָ֙ (ḇə·rî·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

with me,
אִתִּ֔י (’it·tî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

and you can be certain
וְהִנֵּה֙ (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

my hand [will be]
יָדִ֣י (yā·ḏî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

on your side
עִמָּ֔ךְ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

to turn
לְהָסֵ֥ב (lə·hā·sêḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

to you.”
אֵלֶ֖יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT History: 2 Samuel 3:12 Abner sent messengers to David on his (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
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