The Meaning of 2 Samuel 3:9 Explained

2 Samuel 3:9

KJV: So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

YLT: thus doth God to Abner, and thus He doth add to him, surely as Jehovah hath sworn to David -- surely so I do to him:

Darby: So do God to Abner, and more also, if, as Jehovah has sworn to David, I do not so to him;

ASV: God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Jehovah hath sworn to David, I do not even so to him;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

So do  God  to Abner,  and more also,  except, as the LORD  hath sworn  to David,  even so I do  to him; 

What does 2 Samuel 3:9 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Samuel 3:1-11 - A Split In The Enemy's Ranks
Abner's career reveals the principles on which ambitious men build their lives. He was, according to David's estimate, a great man and a prince, but his soul was eager for his own advancement. "He made himself strong in the house of Saul," 2 Samuel 3:6, r.v. He knew that David was God's appointed king and that through him the divine purpose would move, 2 Samuel 3:10; 2 Samuel 3:18; but yet, because it seemed likely to insure his own advancement, he set Ish-bosheth on the throne. It was a deliberate attempt to thwart God's will, and it failed miserably. "Woe to him that striveth with his Maker!"
Ish-bosheth was a poor weak soul, a mere puppet king, who was set on the throne because he was likely to be pliant in the hands of his great general. Yet even he was aroused to protest when Abner threatened to desert him. And so the alliance between ambition and weakness was broken and the way was made for David to come to the throne of all Israel. In the meantime he ruled at Hebron, waiting, as our Lord waits at the Father's right hand, till His enemies should be made His footstool, Acts 2:34-35. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Samuel 3

1  During the war David becomes stronger
2  Six sons are born to him in Hebron
6  Abner, displeased with Ishbosheth
7  revolts to David
13  David requires as a condition to bring him his wife Michal
17  Abner confers with the Israelites, feasted by David, and dismissed
22  Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and kills Abner
28  David curses Joab
31  and mourns for Abner

What do the individual words in 2 Samuel 3:9 mean?

so May do God to Abner and also more to if as has sworn Yahweh for David even so I do not do to him
כֹּֽה־ יַעֲשֶׂ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ לְאַבְנֵ֔ר וְכֹ֖ה יֹסִ֣יף ל֑וֹ כִּ֗י כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֤ע יְהוָה֙ לְדָוִ֔ד כִּֽי־ כֵ֖ן אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־ לּֽוֹ

כֹּֽה־  so 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כֹּה  
Sense: thus, here, in this manner.
יַעֲשֶׂ֤ה  May  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
אֱלֹהִים֙  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
לְאַבְנֵ֔ר  to  Abner 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִינֵר 
Sense: Saul’s cousin and army captain, treacherously slain by Joab.
וְכֹ֖ה  and  also 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: כֹּה  
Sense: thus, here, in this manner.
יֹסִ֣יף  more 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָסַף 
Sense: to add, increase, do again.
נִשְׁבַּ֤ע  has  sworn 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁבַע  
Sense: to swear, adjure.
יְהוָה֙  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
לְדָוִ֔ד  for  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
כִּֽי־  even 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
כֵ֖ן  so 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כֵּן 
Sense: so, therefore, thus.
אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־  I  do  not  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
לּֽוֹ  to  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular