2 Samuel 3:12

“And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, etc.] On his own account, and not on the account of Ishbosheth, or the people of Israel; but to obtain terms for himself, or in his own name, as representing him and standing in his stead; or secretly, as Kimchi explains it, unknown to Ishbosheth, or the people of Israel. The Targum is, “out of his place;” he sent them from the place where he was, from Mahanaim: saying, whose [is] the land? the land of Israel, is it not thine, David? verily it is; to whom does it belong but unto thee, to whom the Lord has given it? not to any of Saul’s posterity: this he ordered the messengers to say in the first place, in order to ingratiate himself to…”

“Abner sent messengers to David--Though his language implied a secret conviction, that in supporting Ish-bosheth he had been laboring to frustrate the divine purpose of conferring the sovereignty of the kingdom on David, this acknowledgment was no justification either of the measure he was now adopting, or of the motives that prompted it. Nor does it seem possible to uphold the full integrity and honor of David's conduct in entertaining his secret overtures for undermining Ish-bosheth, except we take into account the divine promise of the kingdom, and his belief that the secession of Abner was a means designed by Providence for accomplishing it. The demand for the restoration of his wife…”

“Whose is the land? - Meaning, Is not the land thine by God’s promise? return to 'Top of Page'”

“Messengers - Who in his name might treat with David concerning his reconciliation with him. Thus God over - rules the passions of wicked men, to accomplish his own wise and holy purposes. And who then dare contend with that God who makes even his enemies to do his work, and destroy themselves? Whose, &c. - To whom doth this whole land belong, but to thee? Is it not thine by Divine right? 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:14”

“3:12 In the proposed solemn pact (or covenant), Abner recognized that David would be king, while perhaps he hoped to be second-in-command.”

“Whose: Sa2 19:6, Sa2 20:1-13 Make: Psa 62:9; Luk 16:5-8 my hand: Sa2 3:21, Sa2 3:27, Sa2 5:1-3, Sa2 19:14, Sa2 19:41-43, Sa2 20:1, Sa2 20:2; Ch1 11:1-3, Ch1 12:38-40; Mat 21:8-10 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:13”