2nd Samuel Chapter 3 verse 17 Holy Bible
And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, In times past ye sought for David to be king over you:
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Then Abner had a talk with the chief men of Israel, saying, In the past it was your desire to make David your king: so now, do it:
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Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David aforetime to be king over you;
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And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
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And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
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Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, In times past you sought for David to be king over you:
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And the word of Abner was with the elders of Israel, saying, `Heretofore ye have been seeking David for king over you,
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Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 17. - And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel. Most probably this had taken place before Abner escorted Michal to Hebron, and that he paid David but one visit - that recorded in ver. 20. He would probably not take so decided a step as the surrender of Michal without sounding the elders, that is, the local sheikhs, and finding out how far they were inclined to support David as king of all Israel. When everything was ready he would take Michal to Hebron, and so have the opportunity of arranging with David for future action; and though Ishbosheth would dislike the matter and suspect Abner of ulterior purposes, yet he could not refuse so specious a plea as the escorting of his sister. His previous failure, too, had taught him that Abner was master. We may further be sure that David had everywhere many adherents. All Israel knew that he was marked out by prophecy to be their king, and, moreover, "all Israel and Judah loved him" (1 Samuel 18:16). But when Abner says, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you, he makes it probable that, at some time after the defeat at Gilboa, the attempt had even been made to elect David king. But Abner had then opposed it, and his success in resisting the Philistines, and David's unfortunate entanglement with those inveterate enemies of Israel, had made the attempt fail. And now Abner's attempt was to be equally unsuccessful.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(17) Ye sought for David.--1Samuel 18:6-7; 1Samuel 18:16; 1Samuel 18:30; 1Chronicles 11:1-3 (comp. 2Samuel 3:36), sufficiently testify to the great popularity of David throughout the nation, and its confidence in his prowess and wisdom. It was the influence and activity of Abner that had hitherto prevented his general recognition as king.
