What does 2 Samuel 3:21 mean?
"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 3:21
The Bible verse 2 Samuel 3:21 in the King James Version reads as follows: "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."
This verse is part of the larger narrative in the book of 2 Samuel, which chronicles the reign of King David and the political and social events surrounding his rise to power. In this particular verse, Abner, who was a commander in the army of Saul, the previous king of Israel, approaches David with the intention of making a covenant or league with him.
The context of this verse is crucial to understanding its significance. At the time, David was king of the tribe of Judah, while Ish-bosheth, son of Saul, was king over the rest of Israel. There was tension and conflict between the two factions, and Abner's approach to David was an attempt to unify the kingdom under David's leadership.
The themes present in this verse are those of unity, peace, and the establishment of David's rightful reign. It reflects the political and power struggles that were common in the ancient world, as well as the larger biblical theme of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of his promises.
Abner's statement to David, "I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king," demonstrates his recognition of David as the rightful ruler and his desire to bring about peace and unity under David's leadership. This reflects the biblical theme of God's desire for his people to be united and at peace with one another.
The symbolism in this verse is significant as well. David, as the anointed king chosen by God, represents God's sovereignty and his chosen leader for his people. Abner's actions symbolize the recognition of God's chosen leader and the desire for reconciliation and unity among the people of Israel.
Additionally, David's response to Abner, "And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace," demonstrates his willingness to accept Abner's offer and the importance of pursuing peace and reconciliation. This reflects the biblical theme of forgiveness and the importance of seeking peace with others.
Overall, 2 Samuel 3:21 is a pivotal moment in the larger narrative of King David's rise to power and the unification of the kingdom of Israel. It highlights the themes of unity, peace, and the establishment of God's chosen leader, as well as the symbolism of God's sovereignty and the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness. This verse serves as a reminder of the biblical principles of leadership, unity, and peace that are relevant for believers today.
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2 Samuel 3:21 - "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."
"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 3:21
2 Samuel 21:3 - "Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?"
1 Samuel 3:21 - "And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD."
2 Samuel 21:21 - "And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him."
2 samuel 23:8-21
2 Samuel 5:21 - "And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them."
1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."
2 Samuel 21:11 - "And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done."
2 Samuel 13:21 - "¶ But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth."
1 Samuel 21:3 - "Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present."
2 Samuel 21:22 - "These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants."
"And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD." - 1 Samuel 3:21
2 Samuel 3:2 - "¶ And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;"
2 Samuel 4:3 - "And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)"
2 Samuel 22:21 - "The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me."
2 Samuel 19:21 - "But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?"
2 Samuel 21:18 - "And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant."
2 Samuel 3:4 - "And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;"
2 Samuel 3:3 - "And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;"
2 Samuel 21:13 - "And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged."
2 Samuel 21:7 - "But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul."
2 Samuel 3:11 - "And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him."
2 Samuel 3:33 - "And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?"
2 Samuel 3:5 - "And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron."
2 Samuel 21:5 - "And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,"
2 Samuel 2:3 - "And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron."
2 Samuel 18:21 - "Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran."
"And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him." - 2 Samuel 21:21
2 Samuel 7:3 - "And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee."