Bible Strands
2 Samuel 3:21
Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once, and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abner speaks to David at Hebron immediately following a feast David hosted for him and his twenty men. Abner requests immediate permission to depart so he can unite Israel and formalize a covenant placing David on the throne.
The words — The Hebrew sequence אָק֣וּמָה ('a.Ku.mah, "let me arise") and וְֽ/אֵלֵ֡כָה (ve./'e.Le.khah, "and let me go") marks Abner's immediate departure, followed by וְ/אֶקְבְּצָה֩ (ve./'ek.be.Tzah, "and let me gather") to describe his mission to assemble the tribes.
The thread — Abner's pledge to gather Israel and establish a covenant directly continues his earlier message in 2 Samuel 3:12, while the phrase "all that your heart desires" appears in 1 Kings 11:37 as part of God's promise to Jeroboam.
Why it lands — The text records David's unconditional dismissal of Abner, requiring a reader to weigh the political risk of releasing a military commander without securing written guarantees for the promised covenant.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 3:12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”
- 1 Kings 11:37 But as for you, I will take you, and you shall reign over all that your heart desires, and you will be king over Israel.
- 2 Samuel 3:10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”
- 2 Samuel 2:9 and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel.
- Psalms 20:4 May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
- Philippians 2:21 For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.