2 Samuel 3
The Message
3 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David dragged on and on. The longer it went on the stronger David became, with the house of Saul getting weaker.
* * *
2-5 During the Hebron years, sons were born to David:
Amnon, born of Ahinoam of Jezreel—the firstborn;
Kileab, born of Abigail of Carmel, Nabal’s widow—his second;
Absalom, born of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur—the third;
Adonijah, born of Haggith—the fourth;
Shephatiah, born of Abital—the fifth;
Ithream, born of Eglah—the sixth.
These six sons of David were born in Hebron.
* * *
6-7 Abner took advantage of the continuing war between the house of Saul and the house of David to gain power for himself. Saul had had a concubine, Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. One day Ish-Bosheth confronted Abner: “What business do you have sleeping with my father’s concubine?”
8-10 Abner lost his temper with Ish-Bosheth, “Treat me like a dog, will you! Is this the thanks I get for sticking by the house of your father, Saul, and all his family and friends? I personally saved you from certain capture by David, and you make an issue out of my going to bed with a woman! What God promised David, I’ll help accomplish—transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and make David ruler over the whole country, both Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba. If not, may God do his worst to me.”
11 Ish-Bosheth, cowed by Abner’s outburst, couldn’t say another word.
12 Abner went ahead and sent personal messengers to David: “Make a deal with me and I’ll help bring the whole country of Israel over to you.”
13 “Great,” said David. “It’s a deal. But only on one condition: You’re not welcome here unless you bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, with you when you come to meet me.”
14 David then sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul: “Give me back Michal, whom I won as my wife at the cost of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”
15-16 Ish-Bosheth ordered that she be taken from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. But Paltiel followed her, weeping all the way, to Bahurim. There Abner told him, “Go home.” And he went home.
17-18 Abner got the elders of Israel together and said, “Only yesterday, it seems, you were looking for a way to make David your king. So do it—now! For God has given the go-ahead on David: ‘By my servant David’s hand, I’ll save my people Israel from the oppression of the Philistines and all their other enemies.’”
19 Abner took the Benjaminites aside and spoke to them. Then he went to Hebron for a private talk with David, telling him everything that Israel in general and Benjamin in particular were planning to do.
20 When Abner and the twenty men who were with him met with David in Hebron, David laid out a feast for them.
21 Abner then said, “I’m ready. Let me go now to rally everyone in Israel for my master, the king. They’ll make a treaty with you, authorizing you to rule them however you see fit.” Abner was sent off with David’s blessing.
22-23 Soon after that, David’s men, led by Joab, came back from a field assignment. Abner was no longer in Hebron with David, having just been dismissed with David’s blessing. As Joab and his raiding party arrived, they were told that Abner the son of Ner had been there with David and had been sent off with David’s blessing.
24-25 Joab went straight to the king: “What’s this you’ve done? Abner shows up, and you let him walk away scot-free? You know Abner son of Ner better than that. This was no friendly visit. He was here to spy on you, figure out your comings and goings, find out what you’re up to.”
26-27 Joab left David and went into action. He sent messengers after Abner; they caught up with him at the well at Sirah and brought him back. David knew nothing of all this. When Abner got back to Hebron, Joab steered him aside at the gate for a personal word with him. There he stabbed him in the belly, killed him in cold blood for the murder of his brother Asahel.
28-30 Later on, when David heard what happened, he said, “Before God I and my kingdom are totally innocent of this murder of Abner son of Ner. Joab and his entire family will always be under the curse of this bloodguilt. May they forever be victims of crippling diseases, violence, and famine.” (Joab and his brother, Abishai, murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.)
31-32 David ordered Joab and all the men under him, “Rip your cloaks into rags! Wear mourning clothes! Lead Abner’s funeral procession with loud lament!” King David followed the coffin. They buried Abner in Hebron. The king’s voice was loud in lament as he wept at the side of Abner’s grave. All the people wept, too.
33-34 Then the king sang this tribute to Abner:
Can this be? Abner dead like a nameless bum?
You were a free man, free to go and do as you wished—
Yet you fell as a victim in a street brawl.
And all the people wept—a crescendo of crying!
35-37 They all came then to David, trying to get him to eat something before dark. But David solemnly swore, “I’ll not so much as taste a piece of bread, or anything else for that matter, before sunset, so help me God!” Everyone at the funeral took notice—and liked what they saw. In fact everything the king did was applauded by the people. It was clear to everyone that day, including all Israel, that the king had nothing to do with the death of Abner son of Ner.
38-39 The king spoke to his servants: “You realize, don’t you, that today a prince and hero fell victim of foul play in Israel? And I, though anointed king, was helpless to do anything about it. These sons of Zeruiah are too much for me. God, requite the criminal for his crime!”
2 Samuel 3
King James Version
3 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.
11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12 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.
13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18 Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20 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.
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.
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.
23 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.
24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
26 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.
27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30 So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
2 Samuel 3
Nova Versão Transformadora
3 Assim começou uma longa guerra entre a família de Saul e a família de Davi. Com o tempo, Davi se fortaleceu cada vez mais, e a família de Saul foi se enfraquecendo.
Os filhos de Davi nascidos em Hebrom
2 Estes são os filhos de Davi que nasceram em Hebrom:
O mais velho era Amnom, filho de Ainoã, de Jezreel.
3 O segundo era Daniel,[a] filho de Abigail, a viúva de Nabal, do Carmelo.
O terceiro era Absalão, filho de Maaca, filha de Talmai, rei de Gesur.
4 O quarto era Adonias, filho de Hagite.
O quinto era Sefatias, filho de Abital.
5 O sexto era Itreão, filho de Eglá, esposa de Davi.
Todos esses filhos de Davi nasceram em Hebrom.
Abner une forças com Davi
6 Enquanto continuava a guerra entre as famílias de Saul e de Davi, Abner se tornou um líder cada vez mais influente entre a família de Saul. 7 Um dia, Isbosete, filho de Saul, acusou Abner de ter relações com uma das concubinas de Saul, uma mulher chamada Rispa, filha de Aiá.
8 Abner ficou furioso com as palavras de Isbosete. “Por acaso sou um cão de Judá para ser tratado dessa maneira?”, gritou ele. “Depois de tudo que fiz por seu pai, Saul, e pela família e os amigos dele ao não entregar você a Davi, minha recompensa é ser acusado por causa dessa mulher? 9 Que Deus me castigue severamente se eu não fizer por Davi tudo que o Senhor prometeu a ele! 10 Tomarei o reino da família de Saul e o entregarei a Davi. Estabelecerei o trono de Davi tanto sobre Israel como sobre Judá, desde Dã, ao norte, até Berseba, ao sul!” 11 Isbosete não se atreveu a dizer nem mais uma palavra, pois teve medo do que Abner poderia fazer.
12 Então Abner enviou mensageiros para dizer a Davi: “Afinal, a quem pertence esta terra? Faça um acordo comigo, e eu o ajudarei a conseguir o apoio de todo o Israel”.
13 “Está bem”, respondeu Davi. “Mas só farei acordo com você se, quando vier para cá, trouxer de volta minha esposa Mical, filha de Saul.”
14 Davi enviou a seguinte mensagem a Isbosete, filho de Saul: “Devolva minha esposa Mical, pois eu conquistei o direito de me casar com ela com os prepúcios de cem filisteus”.
15 Então Isbosete mandou tirar Mical de seu marido, Palti,[b] filho de Laís. 16 Palti a seguiu até Baurim, chorando ao longo de todo o caminho, até que Abner lhe disse: “Volte para casa!”, e ele voltou.
17 Abner reuniu as autoridades de Israel e lhes disse: “Faz algum tempo que vocês querem declarar Davi seu rei. 18 Chegou a hora de agir! Pois o Senhor disse: ‘Escolhi meu servo Davi para livrar meu povo, Israel, das mãos dos filisteus e de todos os seus inimigos’”. 19 Abner também falou com os homens de Benjamim. Depois, foi a Hebrom para dizer a Davi que todo o povo de Israel e de Benjamim tinha concordado em apoiá-lo.
20 Quando Abner, acompanhado de vinte homens, chegou a Hebrom, Davi os recebeu com um grande banquete. 21 Então Abner disse a Davi: “Deixe que eu vá e convoque uma reunião de todo o Israel para apoiar meu senhor, o rei. Farão uma aliança com o senhor para que reine sobre eles, e o senhor governará sobre tudo que seu coração desejar”. Davi se despediu dele, e Abner partiu em paz.
Abner é assassinado por Joabe
22 Contudo, logo depois que Davi despediu Abner em paz, Joabe e alguns dos soldados de Davi retornaram de um ataque, trazendo muitos despojos. 23 Quando Joabe chegou, foi informado de que Abner, filho de Ner, tinha acabado de visitar o rei, que o havia despedido em paz.
24 Joabe foi até o rei e perguntou: “O que foi que o senhor fez? Por que deixou Abner escapar? 25 O senhor conhece muito bem Abner, filho de Ner! Sabe que ele veio espioná-lo e descobrir tudo que o senhor anda fazendo!”.
26 Então Joabe saiu da presença de Davi e enviou mensageiros para alcançar Abner. Eles o encontraram perto do poço de Sirá e o trouxeram de volta, sem que Davi soubesse. 27 Quando Abner chegou a Hebrom, Joabe o chamou para um lado, junto ao portão da cidade, como se fosse falar com ele em particular. Então, apunhalou-o no estômago e o matou para vingar a morte de Asael, seu irmão.
28 Quando Davi soube o que havia acontecido, declarou: “Juro pelo Senhor que eu e meu reino somos para sempre inocentes desse crime contra Abner, filho de Ner. 29 Que essa culpa permaneça sobre Joabe e sua família! Que em todas as gerações da família de Joabe nunca falte um homem que tenha fluxo ou lepra,[c] que use muletas,[d] que morra pela espada, ou que tenha de mendigar o alimento!”.
30 Assim, Joabe e seu irmão Abisai assassinaram Abner, pois ele havia matado Asael, irmão deles, na batalha em Gibeom.
Davi lamenta a morte de Abner
31 Então Davi disse a Joabe e a todos que estavam com ele: “Rasguem suas roupas e vistam pano de saco. Lamentem a morte de Abner”, e o próprio rei seguiu o cortejo fúnebre. 32 Sepultaram Abner em Hebrom, e o rei chorou em alta voz junto ao túmulo, e todo o povo lamentou com ele. 33 Então o rei entoou esta canção fúnebre:
“Acaso Abner devia morrer como um vilão?
34 Suas mãos não estavam atadas,
nem seus pés acorrentados.
Não, você foi assassinado,
vítima de uma trama perversa”.
Todo o povo lamentou uma vez mais por Abner. 35 Davi tinha se recusado a comer no dia do funeral, e todos insistiram para que ele se alimentasse. Mas ele havia feito um voto: “Que Deus me castigue severamente se eu comer alguma coisa antes do pôr do sol”.
36 Seu voto agradou muito o povo. De fato, aprovavam tudo que o rei fazia. 37 Assim, todos em Judá e em Israel entenderam que Davi não era responsável pelo assassinato de Abner, filho de Ner.
38 Então o rei disse a seus oficiais: “Não percebem que um grande comandante caiu hoje em Israel? 39 E, embora eu seja o rei ungido, esses dois filhos de Zeruia, Joabe e Abisai, são fortes demais para que eu os controle. Que o Senhor retribua a esses homens maus por sua maldade”.
Footnotes
- 3.3 Conforme o texto paralelo em 1Cr 3.1 (ver tb. Septuaginta, que traz Daluia, e o possível apoio dos manuscritos do mar Morto); o hebraico traz Quileabe.
- 3.15 Conforme 1Sm 25.44; o hebraico traz Paltiel, variação de Palti.
- 3.29a O termo hebraico não se refere somente à hanseníase, mas também a diversas doenças de pele.
- 3.29b Ou que seja efeminado; o hebraico traz que manuseie um fuso.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
BÍBLIA SAGRADA, NOVA VERSÃO TRANSFORMADORA copyright © 2016 by Mundo Cristão. Used by permission of Associação Religiosa Editora Mundo Cristão, Todos os direitos reservados.
