2 Samuel 3:17
“Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you sought for David to be king over you.”
What does 2 Samuel 3:17 mean?
Abner, a powerful military commander who had been loyal to King Saul, is now working behind the scenes to shift his allegiance to David. He's reminding Israel's leaders that they've actually wanted David as king all along, even before Saul died. This is a pivotal moment: Abner is using political persuasion to unite the divided kingdom, appealing to what the people already desired rather than forcing something new on them. His words acknowledge that David's rise isn't a surprise coup but the fulfillment of what many had been hoping for, which makes the transition feel more legitimate and reasonable to those in power.