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.

2 SAMUEL 3:23KJV
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2 Samuel 3:23 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 3:23 mean?

2 Samuel 3:23 describes the moment Joab learns that King David has received Abner, a leader from the opposing side, and allowed him to leave safely. Joab had been away with his troops, so he hears about the meeting only after Abner has gone.

Unnamed people bring Joab the report. Their words, “he is gone in peace,” stress that David let Abner depart unharmed. That detail prepares the reader for Joab’s response to the king in the following verse.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 3:23

  • “host” — צָבָא (tsava): This word can mean an army or a body of troops. Here it identifies the men who returned with Joab as a military force.
  • “peace” — שָׁלוֹם (shalom): This word can carry the sense of safety or well-being. Here it describes Abner’s safe departure from David’s presence.

Why 2 Samuel 3:23 matters

  • Abner’s visit had political importance. Earlier in the chapter, Abner had offered to bring the people of Israel over to David’s side, making his safe departure more than a casual farewell.
  • Joab’s history with Abner helps explain the tension in the report. Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel in battle, as told in 2 Samuel 2:23.
  • David’s welcome and Joab’s reaction stand in sharp contrast. After hearing the report, Joab challenges David about letting Abner go, and later sends messengers to bring Abner back without David’s knowledge.

Where else these words appear

“Ner” Hebrew H5369 · used in 16 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 2:12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
  • 1 Kings 2:32 And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.

“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 3:21 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.

“Joab” Hebrew H3097 · used in 124 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 14:22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
  • 2 Samuel 24:4 Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.