2 Samuel 3:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 3:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his first-born was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his first-born was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
2 Samuel 3:2 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his first-born was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And unto David were sons born in Hebron, etc.] He was married before he came there, had wives in his state of exile, but had no children by them there, at least no sons; if any, only daughters: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; who being mentioned first, and her son his firstborn, seems to have been his wife before be took Abigail; he had not much comfort of this firstborn son of his; (see <101301>2 Samuel 13:1-39).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“unto David were sons born in Hebron--The six sons mentioned had all different mothers.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:2-5 One way David “became stronger and stronger” (3:1) was by taking more wives and having a son through each. Three of David’s Hebron-born sons died violent deaths, two during David’s reign (Amnon, Absalom), and one shortly after his death (Adonijah).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sons born: Ch1 3:1-4 Amnon: 2Sam. 13:1-29; Gen 49:3, Gen 49:4 Ahinoam: Sa1 25:43 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:3”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Growth of the House of David. - Proof of the advance of the house of David is furnished by the multiplication of his family at Hebron. The account of the sons who were born to David at Hebron does not break the thread, as Clericus, Thenius, and others suppose, but is very appropriately introduced here, as a practical proof of the strengthening of the house of David, in harmony with the custom of beginning the history of the reign of every king with certain notices concerning his family (vid., Sa2 5:13.; Kg1 3:1; Kg1 14:21; Kg1 15:2, Kg1 15:9, etc.). We have a similar list of the sons of David in Ch1 3:1-4. The first two sons were born to him from the two wives whom he had brought with him to…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification