2 Samuel 3:12-21

Abner's negotiations with David

12. on his behalf The Sept. rendering immediatelyis adopted by some commentators, but is unsupported by the use of the word elsewhere.

Whose is the land The meaning may be either (a) "Is not the land thine by virtue of God's promise?" or (b) "Is not the land in my power so that I can make whom I please king?" But the latter agrees best with the words which follow: "Make thy covenant with me," and with Abner's character and evident desire to lay stress on his own power, in order to secure favourable terms for himself. There is however some doubt about the text, which was corrupt in the copy from which the Sept. version was made, and possibly the words Whose is the land? saying alsoshould be struck out. The Targum has a curious paraphrase, "I swear by Him Who made the earth."