2 samuel 3:22 - Behold, David’s servants and Joab came from a raid, and brought in a great plunder with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "2 samuel 3:22" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 3:22 is a crucial turning point in the narrative and highlights the rising tension and potential for conflict. Let's break it down:
"Behold, David’s servants and Joab came from a raid, and brought in a great plunder with them..." This sets the scene. David's loyal troops, led by Joab, have returned from a successful military campaign, laden with spoils of war (plunder). This signifies their strength and loyalty to David.
"...but Abner was not with David in Hebron..." This is significant. Abner, previously the commander of Saul's army and now actively trying to unite the kingdom under David, is not present in David's capital, Hebron. This absence is suspicious and will be pivotal in the following events.
"...for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace." This explains Abner's absence. David had given Abner permission to leave Hebron after Abner brokered a deal between David and the remaining tribes supporting Saul's house. The phrase "gone in peace" suggests a formal and amicable departure, reinforcing the idea that David and Abner had reached an understanding. This is the key to understanding the verse. David had seemingly approved Abner's efforts and let him go with his blessing.
Overall Meaning and Significance:
The verse creates a stark contrast. While David's loyal men (Joab and his troops) are returning victoriously and expect to be rewarded, Abner, a recent and potentially untrustworthy ally, is absent. This sets the stage for Joab's reaction, which is driven by jealousy, suspicion, and a past grievance against Abner.
The implications are:
Joab's distrust and anger: Joab is likely to be deeply suspicious of Abner. He may view Abner as an opportunistic traitor who cannot be trusted, and possibly question why David is trusting him.
Rising tension: The "peaceful" departure of Abner will be interpreted very differently by Joab, creating tension and foreshadowing conflict.
Foreshadowing: This verse foreshadows Joab's actions in the following verses. He is about to undermine David's agreement with Abner and take matters into his own hands, with devastating consequences.
In short, 2 Samuel 3:22 is not just a simple statement of facts. It's a carefully constructed verse that highlights the political complexity of the situation, sets the stage for a major turning point in the story, and provides insight into the motivations of the key players. It sets the stage for conflict by showing the seeds of distrust that Joab harbors for Abner.
2 samuel 3:22 - Behold, David’s servants and Joab came from a raid, and brought in a great plunder with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
What does "2 samuel 3:22" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 3:22 is a crucial turning point in the narrative and highlights the rising tension and potential for conflict. Let's break it down:
"Behold, David’s servants and Joab came from a raid, and brought in a great plunder with them..." This sets the scene. David's loyal troops, led by Joab, have returned from a successful military campaign, laden with spoils of war (plunder). This signifies their strength and loyalty to David.
"...but Abner was not with David in Hebron..." This is significant. Abner, previously the commander of Saul's army and now actively trying to unite the kingdom under David, is not present in David's capital, Hebron. This absence is suspicious and will be pivotal in the following events.
"...for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace." This explains Abner's absence. David had given Abner permission to leave Hebron after Abner brokered a deal between David and the remaining tribes supporting Saul's house. The phrase "gone in peace" suggests a formal and amicable departure, reinforcing the idea that David and Abner had reached an understanding. This is the key to understanding the verse. David had seemingly approved Abner's efforts and let him go with his blessing.
Overall Meaning and Significance:
The verse creates a stark contrast. While David's loyal men (Joab and his troops) are returning victoriously and expect to be rewarded, Abner, a recent and potentially untrustworthy ally, is absent. This sets the stage for Joab's reaction, which is driven by jealousy, suspicion, and a past grievance against Abner.
The implications are:
Joab's distrust and anger: Joab is likely to be deeply suspicious of Abner. He may view Abner as an opportunistic traitor who cannot be trusted, and possibly question why David is trusting him.
Rising tension: The "peaceful" departure of Abner will be interpreted very differently by Joab, creating tension and foreshadowing conflict.
Foreshadowing: This verse foreshadows Joab's actions in the following verses. He is about to undermine David's agreement with Abner and take matters into his own hands, with devastating consequences.
In short, 2 Samuel 3:22 is not just a simple statement of facts. It's a carefully constructed verse that highlights the political complexity of the situation, sets the stage for a major turning point in the story, and provides insight into the motivations of the key players. It sets the stage for conflict by showing the seeds of distrust that Joab harbors for Abner.