1 Samuel 26:14
And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?
1 Samuel 26:14 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of 2 Samuel, we see David calling out to Abner, the commander of Saul's army, questioning why he did not respond to the king's call. Abner, unaware of who was addressing him, boldly asks David, "Who art thou that criest to the king?" This interaction highlights the tension between David, who had been anointed as the future king by Samuel, and Abner, who was loyal to Saul. It also reflects the power dynamics at play as David sought to establish himself as the rightful ruler. The exchange foreshadows the conflict and struggle for power that ensued between David and Saul's house, ultimately leading to David's ascent to the throne. It serves as a pivotal moment in David's journey towards becoming the king of Israel.
Theological Overview
When examining the theological interpretation of 2 Samuel 3:26, we see a significant interaction between David and Abner, the commander of Saul's army. David calls out to Abner, questioning why he isn't responding to him. This moment captures a key transition in David's journey towards becoming the rightful king of Israel. Abner's retort, "Who are you that cries to the king?" reflects the uncertainty and tension present as David's rise to power challenges established authority. This interaction highlights the complexities of power dynamics and loyalty as well as the ever-present theme of divine providence in the biblical narrative. Additionally, a word study of Abner's response can shed light on his character and the nuances of the political climate at the time. By delving into the text in this way, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the intricate layers of meaning and significance within the passage.
1 Samuel 26:14 in other translations
American Standard Version
and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?
World English Bible
and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Don’t you answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who cries to the king?”
Douay-Rheims
David cried to the people, and to Abner, the son of Ner, saying: Wilt thou not answer, Abner? And Abner answering, said: Who art thou, that criest, and disturbest the king?
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Dauid cryed to the people, and to Abner the sonne of Ner, saying, Hearest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered, and said, Who art thou that cryest to the King?