2 Samuel

Focuses on King David's reign, his troubles, successes, and the promise of his dynasty.

Chapter 3

1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

*There was a big fight between Saul's family and David's family. But David became more powerful while Saul's family got weaker.

2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

*In Hebron, David had children, with his first being Amnon, who was born to a woman named Ahinoam from Jezreel.

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;

*And his second child was Chileab, born to Abigail, who was married to Nabal from Carmel; and his third child was Absalom, born to Maacah, who was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.

4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

*And the fourth was Adonijah, son of Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, son of Abital.

5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

*And the sixth child was Ithream, from David's wife Eglah. They had these children while living in Hebron.

6 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.

*One day, when there was a war between Saul's family and David's family, Abner became very powerful and supported Saul's family.

7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?

*Saul had a wife-like helper named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah. Ishbosheth asked Abner, "Why did you sleep with my dad's wife-like helper?"

8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?

*Then Abner got very angry at Ishbosheth's words and asked, "Am I just a dog's head? Why am I showing kindness to Judah and Saul's family today, including his relatives and friends, when I didn't hand you over to David? Why are you accusing me of wrongdoing about this woman?"

9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

*So do the same to Abner and even more, but not beyond what the Lord has promised David. I will do the same to him.

10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

*To take away the kingdom from Saul's family and put David's kingdom in its place for both Israel and Judah, from a place called Dan to another place called Beersheba.

11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.

*He couldn't say anything back to Abner anymore because he was scared of him.

12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

*And Abner sent a message to David, asking, "Whose land is this?" He also said, "Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all of Israel to you."

13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

*He agreed and asked for one condition: You cannot see my face unless you first bring me Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to visit me.

14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

*David asked his messengers to go to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, and ask for his wife Michal back. He said that he had given 100 Philistine foreskins as a marriage price when they got married.

15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.

*Ishbosheth ordered her to be taken away from her husband, who was Phaltiel, son of Laish.

16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

*Her husband went with her while crying as she went to Bahurim. Abner told him to go back, so he did.

17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:

*And Abner spoke to the important people of Israel, saying, You wanted David to be your king before.

18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath 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.

*Now, go ahead and do it because the Lord has said through David that he will rescue his people Israel from the grasp of the Philistines and all their other foes using the help of his servant David.

19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

*Abner talked to Benjamin and then spoke to David in Hebron about what was good for Israel and the entire Benjamin family.

20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

*Abner went to see David in Hebron, bringing 20 guys with him. David then treated Abner and his group to a meal.

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.

*Abner told David, "I'll go and bring all of Israel to our king so they can make a promise with you and you can rule over everything your heart wants." After this, David let Abner leave, and he went peacefully.

22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

*And look, the helpers of David and Joab stopped chasing another group. They returned with lots of loot. However, Abner wasn't with David in Hebron. David had sent Abner away, and he left peacefully.

23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.

*When Joab and his group returned, they said to Joab, "Abner, son of Ner, came to the king. The king sent him away, and he left peacefully."

24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?

*Then Joab went to the king and asked, "What happened? Abner came to see you. Why did you send him away, and now he's gone far away?"

25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

*You know Abner, Ner's son, who came to trick you, watch where you go and come back, and learn everything you do.

26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

*When Joab left David, he sent people to find Abner and bring him back from the Sirah well, but David didn't know about it.

27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

*When Abner came back to Hebron, Joab talked to him near the city gate in a quiet way. But then, Joab suddenly hit Abner below his fifth rib, and Abner died because of this. It was all because of the revenge for Asahel, who was Abner's brother.

28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

*Afterward, when David learned about it, he declared, "I and my kingdom will always be innocent in the eyes of the Lord regarding the death of Abner, son of Ner."

29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

*Let it be on Joab's head and his entire family. Don't let anyone in Joab's family miss having a skin disease, a walking stick, a sword injury, or not having enough food.

30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

*So, Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner. They did this because Abner had killed their other brother, Asahel, during a fight at a place called Gibeon.

31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.

*And David told Joab and everyone with him, Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and be sad for Abner. King David also joined in carrying the coffin.

32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

*They put Abner in a tomb in Hebron. The king cried loudly and mourned by Abner's grave, and everyone else also cried.

33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

*And the king mourned for Abner and asked, Did Abner die like a foolish person?

34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.

*Your hands weren't tied up, and your feet weren't locked in chains. Just like how a person loses control around bad people, you lost control too. Everyone cried for you once more.

35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.

*When people wanted David to eat meat during the day, David swore that if he ate any food, like bread or anything else, before the sun set, God should punish him.

36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

*Everyone watched and liked it, because whatever the king did, everyone was happy about it.

37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

*On that day, everyone realized that the king didn't kill Abner, son of Ner.

38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

*The king asked his helpers, "Don't you know that a powerful leader has lost his position in Israel today?"

39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

*Today, I feel weak even though I'm a king, because these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too strong for me. The Lord will punish those who do bad things based on how bad they were.

read summary

Back to Chapters

Back to Books

* work in progress, there will be mistakes