2 Samuel 3:9

So do God, &c. An oath characteristic of the books of Samuel and Kings. See note on 1 Samuel 3:17.

as theLord hath sworn to David No express divine oathpromising the kingdom to David is recorded: but Samuel's solemn declaration to Saul (1 Samuel 15:28-29), and his choice and anointing of David by divine command (1 Samuel 16:1-12), were equivalent to it. It seems to have been generally known that David was designated by God to be Saul's successor (1 Samuel 25:28-31; 2 Samuel 5:2). "Abner is self-convicted by these words. He knew that the Lord had sworn to give the throne to David, and yet he had resisted consciously resisted to the best of his power the fulfilment of that high decree. He now reaps his reward in this, that his return to what was really his duty, bears the aspect of treachery, meanness, and dishonour. It now devolved upon him to undo his own work, whereas at the first it was in his power to subside into graceful and honourable acquiescence in a decree which, although distasteful to him, he could not and ought not to resist. Had he done this, his acknowledged abilities might have secured for him no second place among the worthies of David, and his end might have been very different." Kitto, Bible Illustr.p. 324.