Now Abner had a consultation with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past you were seeking for David to be king over you.
Parallel translations
- WEB Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you sought for David to be king over you.
- KJV And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
- BSB Now Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “In the past you sought David as your king.
- NKJV Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, “In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you.
- NLT Meanwhile, Abner had consulted with the elders of Israel. “For some time now,” he told them, “you have wanted to make David your king.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Abner reminds Israel's elders that they had long wanted David as king. He works to bring their hidden desire into the open.
Overview
Abner reasons with the tribal elders, reminding them that they had previously sought David's rule even while Saul's house held the throne. His diplomacy builds consensus among Israel's leaders to transfer their loyalty. This sets the stage for the peaceful, popular acclamation of David that follows in chapter 5.
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 3:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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