“So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;”
My Notes
What Does 2 Samuel 3:9 Mean?
"So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him." ABNER — Saul's general, the power behind Ish-bosheth's throne — SWITCHES SIDES. After a personal insult from Ish-bosheth (verse 7-8), Abner invokes God's own oath and declares he will transfer the kingdom to David. The general who maintained Saul's dynasty now pledges to DISMANTLE it. The defection is driven by personal offense, but Abner frames it in theological terms.
The phrase "as the LORD hath sworn to David" (ka'asher nishba' YHWH leDavid — as the LORD swore to David) is Abner's ACKNOWLEDGMENT: he KNOWS God's plan. He has known all along that God promised the kingdom to David. The general of Saul's house ADMITS that he's been fighting against God's declared will. The defection isn't a new revelation — it's the decision to finally ACT on what he always knew was true.
The phrase "even so I do to him" (ki khen e'eseh lo — indeed thus I will do for him) is Abner's COMMITMENT: 'I will make happen for David what God swore would happen.' Abner positions himself as the AGENT of divine fulfillment — the one who will bring about what God promised. The political calculation and the theological reality merge: Abner will serve God's purpose, even though his motivation is personal anger at Ish-bosheth.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What have you known was God's will but only acted on when your circumstances made it convenient?
- 2.What does Abner wrapping personal offense in theological language teach about mixed motives?
- 3.How does God's plan being fulfilled through a grudging defector describe divine sovereignty over human pettiness?
- 4.What 'I knew all along' admission are you avoiding — and what would acting on it actually require?
Devotional
Abner KNEW the whole time. The general who propped up Ish-bosheth's throne against David ADMITS: 'The LORD swore to David.' He knew God's plan. He fought against it anyway. For years. And now — not because of conviction but because of a PERSONAL INSULT — he decides to do what he always knew was right.
The motivation is messy: Abner doesn't switch sides because of repentance or spiritual awakening. He switches because Ish-bosheth accused him of sleeping with Saul's concubine (verse 7), and the insult enraged him. The theological language — 'as the LORD hath sworn' — covers a deeply personal offense. Abner wraps his wounded pride in God's covenant. The right action happens for the wrong reason.
But the RESULT is real: whatever Abner's motivation, the kingdom DOES transfer to David. God's promise is fulfilled through a man acting from personal anger. The divine plan uses human pettiness. The kingdom comes to David through a defecting general nursing a grudge. God's sovereignty doesn't require pure motives in every instrument.
Abner's admission — 'I knew all along' — is the most honest and damning thing he says: he fought God's declared will KNOWINGLY. Not from ignorance. Not from honest disagreement. From political calculation. He chose Ish-bosheth not because he believed in Ish-bosheth but because it served his POWER. The knowledge was there. The obedience was delayed until the calculation changed.
What have you KNOWN was God's will — and only acted on when your personal circumstances made it convenient?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
So do God to Abner, and more also,.... He wishes the worst of evils to himself, such as he cared not to name; but left…
Except, as the Lord hath sworn to David - And why did he not do this before, when he knew that God had given the kingdom…
Here, I. Abner breaks with Ish-bosheth, and deserts his interest, upon a little provocation which Ish-bosheth…
So do God, &c. An oath characteristic of the books of Samuel and Kings. See note on 1Sa 3:17.
as theLord hath sworn to…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture