And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

2 SAMUEL 3:26KJV
Know the Bible

2 Samuel 3:26 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 3:26 mean?

2 Samuel 3:26 describes how Joab, after leaving David’s presence, secretly sent messengers to bring Abner back from the well of Sirah, without David’s knowledge. The verse highlights that David was unaware of Joab’s actions in recalling Abner.

Joab was one of David’s military commanders, and Abner was a rival commander who had just met with David to discuss peace. After this meeting, Joab took matters into his own hands by sending for Abner, acting independently and without David’s permission. This sets up a moment of tension and secrecy, showing that not everyone around David was following his wishes or acting openly.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 3:26

  • יָצָא (yatsa, “out”): This word is used for Joab coming out from David, emphasizing a physical departure but also possibly hinting at Joab stepping away from David’s authority or intentions in this moment.
  • שָׁלַח (shalach, “sent”): This verb is used for Joab sending messengers, highlighting Joab’s initiative and control over the situation, acting on his own authority.
  • מַלְאָךְ (mal’akh, “messengers”): The word often means “messenger” or “angel,” but here it refers to human messengers, showing Joab’s use of intermediaries to carry out his secret plan.
  • יָדַע (yada, “knew”): The verse ends by stressing that David did not know (yada) about Joab’s actions, underlining the secrecy and potential for betrayal.

Why 2 Samuel 3:26 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Joab’s actions were done without David’s knowledge, which becomes important in understanding later events and David’s innocence in what follows.
  • The verse highlights the political and personal tensions within David’s leadership team, showing that not all of his commanders were loyal to his wishes.
  • By noting the location (the well of Sirah), the verse grounds the story in a real place, adding to the historical detail and showing how deliberate Joab’s actions were.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“well” Hebrew H953 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
  • Jeremiah 37:16 When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;

“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.