And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee. (2 Samuel 3:12)
Literally, “where he was.” The Lucian edition of the LXX reads “to Hebron.”
Whose is the land?
Abner recognized that he was in a position to bargain with David. He would bring about the transfer of the land on one condition, that David make a league with him, giving him definite assurance of proper consideration for himself. In this proposal the narrow, haughty, self-seeking spirit of Abner was clearly revealed. He would throw in his lot with David, but only at a price, and he wanted first to make certain that the price would be paid.