2 samuel 3:18 - 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.’”

Generated Verse: 2 samuel 3:18

What does "2 samuel 3:18" mean?


This verse, 2 Samuel 3:18, is a pivotal moment in the reconciliation between David and the northern tribes of Israel. Let's break it down:

Context: This verse appears as Abner, a powerful commander of the northern kingdom led by Ishbosheth (Saul's son), is trying to convince the elders of Israel to support David as king. He is appealing to their self-interest and the prophecy that David would deliver them.

"Now then do it": This is Abner urging the elders of Israel to take action immediately and switch their allegiance to David. He's implying that the time is right and that they should follow through with their support.

"For Yahweh has spoken of David": This is the core of Abner's argument. He's claiming divine authority for his proposition. He asserts that God (Yahweh) has already chosen David and communicated this choice.

"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.'": This is the crucial quote. It represents God's alleged promise about David.
"By the hand of my servant David": God is using David as His instrument. This emphasizes that David's success isn't just about his own abilities, but about God's power working through him.
"I will save my people Israel": This is the key promise. God will rescue the Israelites.
"Out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies": This specifies the nature of the salvation. The Israelites will be delivered from their enemies, particularly the Philistines, who were a major threat at the time.

In summary, the verse means:

Abner is telling the Israelite elders to support David's kingship because God has ordained it. He argues that God has promised to deliver the Israelites from their enemies through David, and they should therefore embrace David as their divinely appointed savior.

Significance:

Legitimization of David's Kingship: The verse is used to justify David's claim to the throne of all Israel, not just Judah.
Divine Mandate: It emphasizes the idea that David's power and success are ultimately derived from God's will.
National Unity: It plays a role in uniting the divided kingdoms of Israel under David's leadership.
Promise of Deliverance: It gives hope to the Israelites that David will lead them to victory and security.

It is important to note that while Abner cites this "prophecy," there isn't a direct quotation of this exact wording in earlier biblical texts. This could mean that it was a well-known oral tradition, or that Abner is paraphrasing and summarizing various prophecies and expectations surrounding David.

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