So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

2 SAMUEL 3:20KJV
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2 Samuel 3:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 3:20 mean?

2 Samuel 3:20 describes how Abner arrived in Hebron with twenty men to meet David, and David welcomed them by hosting a feast for Abner and his companions. This verse shows a moment of hospitality and diplomacy as David receives Abner, who had previously been his rival.

In this scene, Abner, who was the commander of Saul’s army, comes to David as part of a political negotiation to unite the kingdom under David’s rule. The act of making a feast signals David’s willingness to reconcile and build trust with Abner and those who came with him. The verse highlights the importance of hospitality and formal gestures in ancient political relationships.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 3:20

  • חָג (mishteh, transliterated "mishteh") means "feast" or "banquet." This word often refers to a significant meal shared for celebration or to mark an important event. Here, it emphasizes the seriousness and goodwill of David’s welcome to Abner.
  • עָשָׂה (asah, transliterated "asah") means "made" or "prepared." The word shows that David took deliberate action to host Abner, not just a casual meal but a purposeful gesture of acceptance.
  • אֲבִינֵר (Abner, transliterated "Aviner") is the name of Saul’s former general. His presence and the mention of his name underline the importance of this meeting in the story’s context.

Why 2 Samuel 3:20 matters

  • The verse clarifies that David is not meeting Abner with suspicion or hostility but is instead extending hospitality, which would have been a powerful signal of peace and respect in that culture.
  • This moment connects to the larger narrative of David’s rise to power, showing how former enemies could become allies through personal encounters and gestures of goodwill.
  • The detail about the feast helps the reader understand the political and relational strategies at play, rather than seeing the meeting as a mere formality.

Where else these words appear

“feast” Hebrew H4960 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Esther 2:18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
  • Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

“Abner” Hebrew H74 · used in 53 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
  • 2 Samuel 2:23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
  • 2 Samuel 3:22 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.

“Hebron” Hebrew H2275 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 13:18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
  • Joshua 21:11 And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.
  • 2 Samuel 5:13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.