Definition: Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why [is] it [that] thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Samuel 3:24. It’s a really important and tense moment in the story of David and his army. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Situation: David is King: We know David was the king of Israel at this time. Abner is a Trusted Advisor: Abner was a very close advisor to David – someone he trusted implicitly. He was essentially David's right-hand man and a key figure in his strategy. The Army is Leaving: David’s army, which was supposed to be stationed in Jerusalem, has just left. This is a big deal because it means the king doesn’t have a strong military presence to protect him. What Joab Says: Joab, David’s chief advisor, is speaking to the king. He's expressing shock and concern. He asks, "What hast thou done?" – which translates roughly to “What have you done?” He’s questioning why David sent Abner away. The Core of the Verse: The crucial part is: “why has he (Abner) come unto thee? why have you sent him away?” Meaning in Simple Terms: Joab is basically saying, "You've sent Abner away! Why did you do that?" It’s a question of judgment and suspicion. David is likely feeling uneasy about the situation because he suspects something isn’t right with Abner. Possible Interpretations (without knowing the full context): Disloyalty: It could suggest that Abner betrayed David's trust – perhaps by helping his enemies or deliberately leaving without permission. A Secret Mission: It might imply that Abner was carrying out a secret mission for someone else, which is troubling to David. Overall Significance: This verse sets the stage for a conflict and highlights a growing sense of unease within David. It’s a moment where he's questioning his own judgment and sensing something amiss with his trusted advisor. It lays the groundwork for a larger story about betrayal and potential danger. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant in biblical history? Discuss what kind of events might have led to this situation? Give you some context on the relationship between David and Abner?