2 Samuel 3:18
New International Version
Now do it! For the LORD promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’”

New Living Translation
Now is the time! For the LORD has said, ‘I have chosen David to save my people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and from all their other enemies.’”

English Standard Version
Now then bring it about, for the LORD has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’”

Berean Standard Bible
Now take action, because the LORD has said to David, ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and of all their enemies.’ ”

King James Bible
Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

New King James Version
Now then, do it! 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.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Now then, do it! For the LORD has spoken regarding David, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hands of all their enemies.’”

NASB 1995
“Now then, do it! 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 from the hand of all their enemies.’”

NASB 1977
“Now then, do it! 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 from the hand of all their enemies.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
So now, do it! For Yahweh 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 from the hand of all their enemies.’”

Amplified Bible
Now 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.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Now take action, because the LORD has spoken concerning David: ‘Through my servant David I will save my people Israel from the power of the Philistines and the power of all Israel’s enemies.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now take action, because the LORD has spoken concerning David: ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the power of the Philistines and the power of all Israel’s enemies.’”

American Standard Version
now then do it; for Jehovah hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

Contemporary English Version
So do it! After all, God said he would use his servant David to rescue his people Israel from their enemies, especially from the Philistines."

English Revised Version
now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do it now, because the LORD said about David: 'I will save my people Israel from the Philistines and all their other enemies through my servant David.'"

Good News Translation
Now here is your chance. Remember that the LORD has said, 'I will use my servant David to rescue my people Israel from the Philistines and from all their other enemies.'"

International Standard Version
So do it, then! Because the LORD has said this about David: 'Through my servant David I will save my people Israel from the control of the Philistines and from all of their enemies.'"

Majority Standard Bible
Now take action, because the LORD has said to David, ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and of all their enemies.’”

NET Bible
Act now! For the LORD has said to David, 'By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the Philistines and from all their enemies.'"

New Heart English Bible
Now then do it, for the LORD has spoken of David, saying, 'By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.

World English Bible
Now then do it! For Yahweh has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and now, do [it], for YHWH has spoken of David saying, [It is] by the hand of my servant David to save My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.”

Young's Literal Translation
and now, do it, for Jehovah hath spoken of David saying, By the hand of David my servant -- to save My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And now do; for Jehovah said to David, saying, By the hand of David my servant I saved my people from the hand of the rovers, and from the hand of all their enemies.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now then do it: because the Lord hath spoken to David, saying: By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hands of the Philistines, and of all their enemies.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, accomplish it now. For the Lord has spoken to David, saying: ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and of all their enemies.’ ”

New American Bible
Now take action, for the LORD has said of David: By David my servant I will save my people Israel from the power of the Philistines and from the power of all their enemies.”

New Revised Standard Version
Now then bring it about; for the LORD has promised David: Through my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from all their enemies.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now then do so; 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 out of the hand of all their enemies.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And now do so, because LORD JEHOVAH has said concerning David: ‘By the hand of David my Servant I shall work salvation for my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies!’"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
now then do it; for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying: By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and now perform it: for the Lord has spoken concerning David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save Israel out of the hand of all their enemies.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abner Joins David
17Now Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “In the past you sought David as your king. 18Now take action, because the LORD has said to David, ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and of all their enemies.’” 19Abner also spoke to the Benjamites and went to Hebron to tell David all that seemed good to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin.…

Cross References
Genesis 49:10
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.

1 Samuel 9:16
“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”

1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

1 Samuel 16:1
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

1 Samuel 16:12-13
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

2 Samuel 7:8-16
Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. / I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land. / And I will provide a place for My people Israel and will plant them so that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more. No longer will the sons of wickedness oppress them as they did at the beginning ...

1 Chronicles 17:11-14
And when your days are fulfilled and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. / He will build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever. / I will be his Father, and he will be My son. And I will never remove My loving devotion from him as I removed it from your predecessor. ...

Psalm 89:3-4
You said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant: / ‘I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.’” Selah

Psalm 89:19-21
You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people. / I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him. / My hand will sustain him; surely My arm will strengthen him.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 11:1-5
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

Ezekiel 34:23-24
I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd. / I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be a prince among them. I, the LORD, have spoken.

Ezekiel 37:24-25
My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes. / They will live in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They will live there forever with their children and grandchildren, and My servant David will be their prince forever.

Hosea 3:5
Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.


Treasury of Scripture

Now then do it: for the LORD has spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

for the Lord

2 Samuel 3:9
So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

1 Samuel 13:14
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

1 Samuel 15:28
And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

By the hand

Psalm 89:3,4,19-23
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, …

Psalm 132:17,18
There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed…

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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














Now then, do it!
This phrase is a call to action, urging immediate obedience and decisiveness. In the Hebrew context, the urgency reflects a pivotal moment in Israel's history. The phrase suggests a divine imperative, emphasizing the necessity of aligning human actions with God's will. It is a reminder that faith often requires prompt and decisive action, reflecting a trust in God's promises and timing.

For the LORD has spoken
This phrase underscores the authority and certainty of God's word. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, highlighting His faithfulness and unchanging nature. The phrase assures the listener that the directive is not merely human wisdom but divinely ordained. It invites believers to trust in the reliability of God's promises, as His spoken word is both powerful and effective.

of David
David is central to this narrative, representing God's chosen leader. Historically, David is a figure of God's anointed king, a man after God's own heart. His life and reign are pivotal in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for Israel. The mention of David here reinforces the legitimacy of his kingship and God's sovereign choice, encouraging believers to recognize and support God's appointed leaders.

saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David
The phrase "By the hand" indicates agency and instrumentality. David is described as "My servant," a term of honor and humility, reflecting his role as God's instrument. In the Hebrew tradition, being a servant of God is a position of both responsibility and privilege. This highlights the concept of divine election and service, where God empowers His chosen ones to fulfill His purposes.

I will save My people Israel
This promise of salvation is central to God's covenant with Israel. The phrase "My people" signifies a personal and covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The assurance of deliverance reflects God's ongoing commitment to His people, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His power to rescue and redeem.

from the hand of the Philistines
The Philistines were a persistent threat to Israel, representing opposition and oppression. Historically, they were a formidable enemy, often at war with Israel. The phrase signifies God's promise to deliver His people from their adversaries, showcasing His sovereignty over nations. It serves as a metaphor for God's ability to overcome any obstacle or enemy that threatens His people.

and all their enemies
This phrase extends the promise of deliverance beyond the Philistines to include all adversaries. It reflects the comprehensive nature of God's salvation, ensuring peace and security for His people. In a broader theological context, it points to God's ultimate victory over all forms of evil and opposition, offering hope and assurance to believers that God is their protector and deliverer.

(18) The Lord hath spoken.--The promise here quoted is not contained in so many words in the records which have come down to us. It may have been either an unrecorded utterance of one of the prophets (Samuel, Gad, or Nathan), or simply a reasonable inference from what had been promised, and from the Divine support of David in his career hitherto.

Verse 18. - The Lord hath spoken. Here again Abner's statements go far beyond the text of anything recorded in Holy Scripture, but probably they give the popular interpretation of the prophecies respecting David. It will be noticed also that Abner endeavours to meet the general prejudice against David by asserting that he was Israel's destined deliverer from Philistine oppression. As Abner's speech is virtually an acknowledgment of failure, we may also be sure that he had found himself unable any longer to make head against the Philistines on the western side of the Jordan, and that Judah was the only tribe there that enjoyed tranquillity. Everywhere else they had once again established their supremacy. Though a brave soldier, Abner was inferior, not only to David, but also to Joab, both as statesman and general; and the weak Ishbosheth was no help to him, but the contrary.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now
וְעַתָּ֖ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

take action,
עֲשׂ֑וּ (‘ă·śū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has said
אָמַ֤ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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

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

‘Through
בְּיַ֣ד ׀ (bə·yaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

My servant
עַבְדִּ֗י (‘aḇ·dî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

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

I will save
הוֹשִׁ֜יעַ (hō·wō·šî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

My people
עַמִּ֤י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

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

from the hands
מִיַּ֣ד (mî·yaḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the Philistines
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

[and]
וּמִיַּ֖ד (ū·mî·yaḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

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

their enemies.’”
אֹיְבֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ō·yə·ḇê·hem)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary


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OT History: 2 Samuel 3:18 Now then do it (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 3:17
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