2 Samuel 3:12 Meaning and Explanation
“And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Abner secretly opens negotiations with David, offering to deliver all Israel to him in a covenant.
What Does 2 Samuel 3:12 Mean?
Abner sends envoys to David proposing an alliance. His pointed question, Whose is the land?, implies that he holds the power to decide, and he pledges his hand to bring all Israel under David.
The man who made Ishbosheth king now offers to unmake him. Abner deals from strength and self-interest, yet the outcome he proposes aligns with God's will. David must now weigh how to receive an overture born of another man's broken loyalty. Throughout the account, the Lord is quietly steering many crooked motives toward the throne He has promised.
2 Samuel 3:12 in the Original Language
berith (בְּרִית), 'covenant' -- a binding agreement, here the political league Abner proposes with David.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 3:12
What does 2 Samuel 3:12 mean?
Abner secretly opens negotiations with David, offering to deliver all Israel to him in a covenant.