Now it happened that while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul.
Parallel translations
- WEB While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house.
- KJV And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
- BSB During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had continued to strengthen his position in the house of Saul.
- NKJV Now it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul.
- NLT As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David went on, Abner became a powerful leader among those loyal to Saul.
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
During the ongoing war, Abner strengthens his own position in Saul's house. His growing power sets up the coming crisis.
Overview
As the conflict continues, Abner consolidates his influence within Ishbosheth's kingdom, becoming the true power behind the throne. His ambition prepares the way for the dispute with Ishbosheth that follows. The verse exposes the human politics at work even as God's larger purpose to give the kingdom to David moves forward.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 2 Sam 2:8–9Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
- Isa 8:9–10Make an uproar, you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Listen, all you from far countries: dress for battle, and be shattered! Dress for battle, and be shattered!
- 2 Kgs 10:23Jehu went with Jehonadab the son of Rechab into the house of Baal. Then he said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search, and see that none of the servants of Yahweh are here with you, but only the worshipers of Baal.”
- Prov 21:30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
- Joel 3:9–13Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war! Stir up the mighty men. Let all the warriors draw near. Let them come up.
- 2 Chr 25:8But if you will go, take action, and be strong for the battle. God will overthrow you before the enemy; for God has power to help, and to overthrow.”
- Matt 12:30“He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters.
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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 3:6 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.