Bible Strands
2 Samuel 3:23
When Joab and all his troops arrived, he was informed, “Abner son of Ner came to see the king, who sent him on his way in peace.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joab and his troops return to Hebron after a raid. A messenger delivers a report to Joab that Abner son of Ner had visited King David and was dismissed in peace.
The words — The narrative uses בָּאוּ (Ba'u), literally "they came," to mark the military return, followed by וַיַּגִּדוּ (va-yaggîdû), "and they told," which introduces the specific intelligence about the royal audience.
The thread — This report directly bridges the narrative of 2 Samuel 3:22, where David first dismisses Abner, to 2 Samuel 3:24, where Joab confronts the king over the same event. The phrase "sent him on his way in peace" echoes the diplomatic language used in 2 Samuel 3:21.
Why it lands — The text states a factual report that triggers Joab’s immediate military and political response. It asks the reader to recognize how a single royal decision, reported without commentary, immediately alters the balance of power and provokes the next action in the narrative.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.