Bible Strands
2 Samuel 3:22
Just then David’s soldiers and Joab returned from a raid, bringing with them a great plunder. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, because David had sent him on his way in peace.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator reports David’s soldiers and Joab returning to Hebron with spoils from a raid. This occurs immediately after David formally dismisses Abner to go in peace, placing the military return in direct chronological contrast to the king’s diplomatic act.
The words — The phrase וְ/שָׁלָ֥ל רָ֖ב (ve./sha.Lal rav) literally renders "and/ plunder much," highlighting the quantitative scale of the spoils the troops brought back.
The thread — The supplied context frames this event within the immediate exchange of 2 Samuel 3:21 and 2 Samuel 3:23, where Abner’s departure and Joab’s subsequent arrival bracket the narrator’s note on the plunder.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that political reconciliation and military opportunism operate simultaneously in the same location. It requires the reader to observe the factual sequence before drawing conclusions about motive or outcome.
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, 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.