Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, please study this chapter and then answer all 53 questions at the end of this chapter.

2 Samuel Chapter 3

2 Samuel 3:1 “Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.”

“Long war”: The conflict between Ish-bosheth and David did not end in quick victory. There was a gradual transfer of power from the house of Saul to the house of David (verse 10), that lasted at least through the two year reign of Ish-bosheth and maybe longer.

Even after David was anointed king, he did not pursue conflict with his opponents; he fought only when confronted, willing to wait on God to make this kingdom, which was his in precept, become his in practicality (1 Chron. 3:1-4).

This is speaking of a period of several years. There just seemed as if there was too much revenge to take for past happenings.

Verses 2-5 (see 1 Chronicles 3:1-4).

Verses 2-5: David had already become a polygamist (compare 1 Sam. 25:43). Here the total number of wives becomes six, but only the childbearing wives are listed. Therefore Michal, Saul’s daughter, is not listed. “David” had not yet recovered her from Phaltiel, to whom Saul had given her in the days of David’s flight from Saul (compare 1 Sam. 25:44 with 2 Sam. 3:13-16). Although practiced in Israel, polygamy was neither sanctioned nor honored (compare Gen. 2:24).

2 Samuel 3:2″And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;”

“Amnon” He raped and defiled his half-sister Tamar and later, by the command of Absalom, was killed for his crime (13:1-39).

David was like many of the kings who had several wives. It seemed that, the prosperity that went with being king caused them to marry several times. Sometimes, they were marriages of state to help their political position. In the case of Ahinoam, this was not true. She was actually the third wife of David. “Amnon” means faithful.

2 Samuel 3:3 “And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;”

“Chileab”: He apparently died before he was able to enter into position to contend for the throne, for nothing more is said about him. This child was born to David by the wife whom David had taken upon the death of Nabal (see 1 Sam. 25:3).

“Absalom”: Literally “My Divine Father Is Peace” or “Divine Father of Peace.” Absalom was the son of Maacah who was a Geshurite princess from a region in Syria, not Israel. David may have married her as part of a diplomatic agreement made with Talmai, the Geshurite king, to give David an ally north of Ish-bosheth. Later Absalom, in fear of his life, fled to Geshur (13:37-38).

The name “Chileab” means protected by the father, or quite like the father. Abigail had married David after the death of her husband. In (1 Chronicles chapter 3 verse 1), he is called Daniel. This son, perhaps, did not live very long, because he is not mentioned as the eldest son, after the deaths of Amnon and Absalom.

Geshur was a small Armenian town in the northeast of Bashan. Absalom was the only son of Maacah. It appears, she was from a very prominent family, since her father was a king. Absalom is best known for killing his brother Amnon for raping their sister Tamar. In later years, he tried to take over his father’s kingdom.

2 Samuel 3:4 “And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;”

“Adonijah”: He was a prominent figure in the contention for David’s throne at the end of his reign (1 Kings 1 and 2), but was assassinated, allowing the throne to be given to Solomon (1 Kings 2:25). Haggith was probably married to David after his accession to the throne.

“Shephatiah … Abital”: Shephatiah means “The Lord Judges.” Abital means “My Divine Father is Dew” or “My Divine Father of Dew.”

Adonijah becomes the eldest son of David, after the death of the first three. “Adonijah” means Jehovah is my LORD. Adonijah is eventually put to death by Solomon. There is nothing more known of Haggith, except the fact that she was the wife of David, and the mother of Adonijah. The fifth son of David’s, Shephatiah, has a name that means Jehovah judges. About the only thing we know of Abital, the wife of David, was that she was born in Hebron and bore this son to David.

2 Samuel 3:5 “And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.”

“Eglah”: Eglah is called “David’s wife.” This may be because she is the last of the list and serves to draw emphasis to David’s polygamy. The inclusion of these sons indicates all who would have been in contention for the throne.

“Born to David”: More children were born to David when he moved to Jerusalem (5:14).

David was in Hebron about seven and one-half years. These children, listed above, all were born during that time. All of these were born about 1,000 B.C. Nothing else is known of this son, but what is here. Some believe that Eglah, Ithream’s mother, is the same as Michal.

Verses 3:6 – 5:16: David assumed the kingdom of all Israel by a similar progression of events as those which led to his assuming the throne of Judah. In both cases, a man comes seeking David’s favor (Amalekite, 1:1-13; Abner, 3:6-21). Both of these men are executed for their deeds (Amalekite, 1:14-16; Abner, 3:22-32). In both cases, this is followed by a lament of David (1:17-27; 3:33-39). Close to the middle of both accounts is a brief look at the anointing of David as king (over Judah, 2:1-7; over Israel, 5:1-5). After this, David and his men are successful in defeating their enemies (2:8-3:1; 5:6-12). Each section concludes with a list of the children born to David (Hebron, 3:2-5; Jerusalem, 5:13-16).

Verses 6-7: Taking a former kings “concubine” was considered a power move for the throne. Abner usurped Ish-bosheth’s authority (“strengthening his hold”), so Ish-bosheth made a false accusation against him.

2 Samuel 3:6″And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.”

“Abner made himself strong”: Abner was the military leader of the country and the one who had put Ish-bosheth on the throne and whose power held him there. As time passed, Abner began to make his own move to take the throne.

In the last lesson, it was Abner who tried to call off the war between him and the followers of David. Perhaps, that was for a selfish reason, because we read here that they continued to fight off and on for the entire rule of Ish-bosheth.

Verses 7-10: The charge was a serious one. To take the king’s “concubine” was to make a claim on the throne itself (1 Kings 2:19-25). The reference to a “dog’s head” (probably a euphemism), implies vileness, in this case, a traitor. For the dog as a symbol of contempt (see the note on 1 Sam. 24:14). The “Lord” would use this incident to bring the loyalties of “Abner” and his forces to the side of “David” (verses 12-21).

2 Samuel 3:7 “And Saul had a concubine, whose name [was] Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and [Ish-bosheth] said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?”

“Rizpah”: By taking Rizpah, the concubine of Saul, Abner made a clear statement to the people that he would take the place of Saul as king over Israel. Going in to the king’s concubine was a statement of power and rightful claim to the throne (compare 16:21-22; in regard to Absalom). Ish-bosheth reacted strongly against Abner, so Abner resented his reaction as an indignity and, compelled by revenge, determined to transfer all the weight of his influence and power to David’s side (verses 9-10).

Abner was the strength of Saul’s army. He really had made Abner more powerful, than he would have been without him. What makes the statement above ridiculous is the fact that Saul is dead. As long as Saul was alive, she was his, but when he died she is free to marry anyone she wishes. In the case of a king, sometimes she would be taken by the next king, when her husband died. This is the only error, we could, possibly, see in this. The Levitical law does not give the woman to the next king. This would make this a fleshly custom, and not a law.

Verses 8-21: Fueled by his “anger” at being unjustly accused by “Ish-bosheth, Abner” admitted that David had been chosen by God to be Saul’s successor, and from that point on, he worked toward that aim. What motivated him to accept David’s leadership after he had fought against it is unknown. Perhaps he realized that David was a much better leader than Ish-bosheth, or perhaps Abner wanted to secure a position with the conquering king.

2 Samuel 3:8 “Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, [Am] I a dog’s head, which against Judah do show kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me today with a fault concerning this woman?”

“Dog’s head”: This was another way to ask, “Am I a contemptible traitor allied with Judah?” This was a common expression to show disdain (1 Sam. 17:43). Abner used this opportunity to condemn Ish-bosheth by reminding him that he would not have been in power had Abner himself not placed him there.

Abner was very wroth, because Ish-bosheth was trying to defame him. Abner, possibly, thought that the king was going to demote him. Abner is asking the king, if he had betrayed him to Judah? He does not understand why the king is trying to make him look bad, before the people. He is explaining to the king, that he could have turned him over to the armies of David, if he had not been loyal. He says, that Ish-bosheth is just trying to find some little something wrong, to demote him.

2 Samuel 3:9 “So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;”

“As the Lord hath sworn to David”: Abner seemed to demonstrate the knowledge that David was to be the next king of Israel as God had sworn to David (1 Sam. 13:14-15; 15:28; 24:20).

2 Samuel 3:10 “To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.”

“Translate the kingdom”: Part of Saul’s kingdom had already been transferred to David, namely Judah; however, Abner vowed to complete the process by helping David obtain the rest of the kingdom.

“Dan even to Beer-sheba”: This was an expression meaning the whole country (Judges 20:1), i.e., from Dan in the north to Beer-sheba in the south.

We see from this, that Abner knew all along that the LORD had anointed David king by Samuel. Suddenly, he is saying that David will be king over all the people. It is inevitable, because the LORD anointed him as king. He is speaking prophetically, that David will be king of both Israel and Judah. It is not if David will be king of them all, but when.

2 Samuel 3:11 “And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.”

That is, he would not, he dared not. Otherwise, if it was fact he charged him with, he could have insisted on the truth of it, and aggravated the crime and scandal of it. And observed it to him, that the kindness he had shown him was no excuse for it; but such things, though he would, he dared not say.

“Because he feared him”: He had the army at his command, and could dethrone him when he pleased. And it has been the fate of greater men than Ish-bosheth to be awed by their generals, and even David himself (see 2 Sam. 3:39).

Ish-bosheth was not a strong person in the beginning. Even though what he said was treason, he did not arrest Abner, for fear Abner would kill him. Ish-bosheth had no idea, whether the men would be faithful to him or not, if he went against their military leader, Abner. He just did and said nothing.

2 Samuel 3:12″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.”

“Whose is the land”: Though Abner’s language (verses 9-10), implied the conviction that in supporting Ish-bosheth he had been going against God’s purpose of conferring the sovereignty of the kingdom on David, this acknowledgment was not justification of his motives. He selfishly wanted to be on the winning side and to be honored as the one who brought all the people under David’s rule.

Abner, it seems, was not afraid of Ish-bosheth. He did not even regard that Ish-bosheth was king. He sent word to David, that he could give him possession of the land, if David would go into an agreement with him. “Whose is the land” is a sarcastic remark that he can hand over the land of Ish-bosheth to David.

2 Samuel 3:13″And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.”

“Michal Saul’s daughter”: David requested Michal for two reasons. One, it would right the wrong Saul had committed toward David by having given Michal, who was David’s wife and who loved him (1 Sam. 18:20, 28), to another man (1 Sam. 25:44). Two, it would serve to strengthen David’s claim to the throne of all Israel by inclining some of Saul’s house to be favorable to his cause.

Saul had given David Michal to wife in his youth. She was David’s first wife. When Saul turned on David, and David had to go in exile to save his life, Saul gave her to another man. It appears, from this, that David wanted her back. David not only wants her for his wife, but wants the recognition of Saul’s daughter being his wife. The only way that David will make an agreement with Abner is, if Abner brings David’s wife back to him.

2 Samuel 3:14 “And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver [me] my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

“A hundred foreskins of the Philistines”: David reminded Ish-bosheth that he had not only paid the dowry to Saul for his daughter, 100 foreskins of the Philistines, but had delivered double the asking price (1 Sam. 18:25-27). Thus, Michal rightfully belonged to David.

David had bought the right to be Michal’s husband by killing the Philistines, and carrying their foreskins to Saul. Saul had no right to give David’s wife to another. She was David’s, not Saul’s, to do with such as this.

2 Samuel 3:15 “And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from [her] husband, [even] from Phaltiel the son of Laish.”

Her second husband, to whom Saul had given her (1 Sam. 25:44).

“Even from Phaltiel the son of Laish”: He is called Phalti (in 1 Sam. 25:44).

“Phaltiel” means deliverance of God. This is first strange, that it would be Ish-bosheth that would do this instead of Abner. It is also very unusual for a woman, who is living with her husband, to be taken from him for another. This is really what happened in the beginning with Michal and David, so perhaps, that is why this happens here.

2 Samuel 3:16 “And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.”

“Bahurim” Located just east of Jerusalem, it became the final location where Phaltiel (compare 1 Sam. 25:44) would see Michal. This was also the town of Shimei, the man who cursed David during his flight from Jerusalem before Absalom (16:5). David’s soldiers also found refuge in a well at Bahurim while being pursued by Absalom’s men (19:16).

They had lived together for a number of years, so it would be understandable that this would grieve her husband. He must understand, however, that it grieved David, when she had been taken from him earlier. Abner refuses to let him go with Michal, and sends him home.

2 Samuel 3:17″And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past [to be] king over you:”

“Elders of Israel”: These men were the recognized leaders of the people serving as Ish-bosheth’s advisers who would have been consulted when important decisions needed to be made (19:7).

It seemed that, many of the elders had felt they should have David for king. They had to go along with Abner taking Michal back to David, as well. They had wanted David to be king all along.

2 Samuel 3:18 “Now then do [it]: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.”

“My servant David”: David is called “the Lord’s servant” more than 30 times in the Old Testament. Abner’s words to the elders of Israel clearly recognized David as the servant of the Lord, thus having the right to the throne according to God’s sovereign will.

It appears Abner knew all along that David was the choice of the LORD for king. He knew that the LORD had told David, he would save his people from the Philistines. The Philistines were their enemies, as well as David’s enemies. Abner had suffered defeat at the hands of the Philistines. He had also suffered defeat at the hands of Joab, David’s military leader. Abner has lost his leadership qualities.

2 Samuel 3:19 “And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.”

“Benjamin”: Abner gave special attention to the tribe of Benjamin, for they were Saul’s and Ish-bosheth’s kinsmen (see 1 Sam. 9:1-2).

It appears that, the house of Benjamin wanted to follow David. They were in mutual consent, that the agreement with David would be a very good thing. Abner had extra strength to carry to the bargaining table, because the house of Benjamin was behind him.

2 Samuel 3:20 “So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that [were] with him a feast.”

These were doubtless representative men, selected by Abner from Israel and Benjamin to accompany him and confirm his report. The feast which David made for them is not to be understood of mere conviviality, but of a solemn sacrificial feast, such as was customary in ancient times in connection with important negotiations (see Gen. 26:30; 31:54; 1 Kings 3:15).

Many times, agreements were made over a big feast of celebration. These 20 men that came to this feast were possibly, the elders spoken of earlier. They were men of influence who also, wanted to make agreement with David. The group brought Michal back to David. This was their part of the bargain, to get David to sit down and talk to them. There would be details to work out for David to become king of all Israel.

2 Samuel 3:21 “And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.”

“Covenant with you”: This covenant moved beyond the personal agreement made between Abner and David and was operative on the national level, uniting both north and south.

“In peace”: The repetition of this phase (in verses 22-23), serves to emphasize the fact that David sought to ensure peace with Abner. This also accentuates the fact that David was not involved in Abner’s death (verses 26-30).

The tribes would be gathered together and unanimously make David their king. Abner had been their true leader, and he would tell them he thought this would be a good thing to do. David allowed Abner to leave peacefully, to go and tell the others of the plans.

2 Samuel 3:22 “And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from [pursuing] a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner [was] not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.”

He had been either on some expedition against the Philistines, the Amalekites, or other enemies of Judah, or else engaged in repelling some attack from them. In either case, he returned elated with victory and bringing great spoil. But Abner had concluded his interview and gone away before his return.

We remember from a previous lesson, that Joab was the leader of David’s military. He was a very brave man. He has been off in a battle, and has come home victor. He has brought the spoil from the battle home with him. David was aware that Abner had killed Joab’s brother. David may have sent Abner on this mission to get him away from headquarters, while Abner was there. This is the first that Joab has heard about Abner coming over to David’s side. David has made the agreement without consulting Joab. The agreement is set, and David has sent Abner away in peace.

Verses 23-29: For the cause of Abner’s murder (see the note on 2:23). Joab’s avenging of “his brother” was at “Hebron,” a city of refuge (Joshua 21:13). Such an act was against the regulations in the law (Num. 35:22-28), even if “Joab” were acting as an avenger of blood (see the note on Joshua 20:2). Accordingly, because Joab’s deed was born of vengeance and jealousy (verses 24-25), Joab does not receive David’s blessing, but his curse. “David” leads the people of Hebron in a sincere time of public mourning (verses 31-39).

2 Samuel 3:23 “When Joab and all the host that [was] with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.”

To Hebron or rather to David’s court, for their coming to the city is before mentioned. This must be understood not of the whole army, of all the common soldiers, but of the chief officers, who with Joab came to court, to wait upon David, and report their success.

“They told Joab, saying, Abner the son, of Ner came to the king”: Some of the courtiers informed him of it, who knew it would not be very agreeable to him.

“And he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace”: Instead of seizing him, and laying him in a prison as his enemy, he has let him go with all the marks of friendship and good will.

Joab hates Abner for killing his brother. He cannot seem to forget that. The men heard the people of Hebron tell of the visit of Abner. They also relate that David let him live. In fact, he let him go peacefully. This has to bother Joab, who has not forgiven him for killing his brother.

2 Samuel 3:24 “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?”

Joab’s somewhat rough remonstrance with David may have been supported by an honest suspicion of Abner, for which there was some ground in Abner’s long opposition to the known Divine will and his present revolt from Ish-bosheth. But there was also a personal enmity, due partly to the fear of being himself supplanted by an older and famous warrior, and partly to the desire to revenge the death of his brother Asahel. Joab seeks to poison David’s mind against Abner so that he may better carry out his revenge.

Verses 25-27: Whether “Joab” was defending David or looking out for his own position, his act against “Abner” was murder since it was neither an act of war nor a justifiable act of revenge. This is especially true because “Hebron” was a city of refuge (Num. 35:22-25; Joshua 20:6-7).

2 Samuel 3:25 “Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.”

“Abner … came to deceive thee”: It is ironic that Joab accused Abner of deception in spying on David (in verse 25 when in verse 26 he deceived David), by not telling him of his request to have Abner returned to Hebron. Joab used this deception to slay Abner out of personal vengeance for the death of his brother Asahel (verse 27; see 2:19-23).

David had to be a tolerant king, to let his subordinate speak to him in this manner. Perhaps, Joab thinks that David might replace him with Abner, the military leader of Saul’s army. He actually feels that David has deliberately not told him of his plans. Joab tries to say, that Abner cannot be trusted. Whether Joab really believes that Abner is a spy, or whether there is a touch of jealousy, is not clear. He is not satisfied with the way David handled Abner. He feels he had better take care of this himself.

2 Samuel 3:26 “And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew [it] not.”

“Well of Sirah”: The only mention of this location is found here. The town was located about 2.5 miles northwest of Hebron.

Joab did not get orders from David, to go after Abner. He did this on his own. The scouts that Joab sent out told a lie to Abner, undoubtedly. Abner would not have come back with them at all, if he had known that it was Joab, and not David, that wanted him. The well of Sirah, mentioned here, is about two and a half miles out of Hebron. This is where Joab waited for him.

2 Samuel 3:27 “And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth [rib], that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.”

“Smote here there under the fifth rib”: Abner died in a similar manner to Joab’s brother Asahel, the man he had killed (2:23). However, Abner struck Asahel during battle (2:18-23), in self-defense, while Joab murdered Abner to avenge the death of Asahel.

In a sense, Joab was paying a tooth for a tooth. His brother had been killed by a spear going in under his fifth rib. It was Abner, who had actually speared him. The action of Joab was an act of revenge. The place where Joab killed him was a private place. He possibly, made Abner believe there was something secret he needed to talk to him about. When they met in secret, Joab struck him under the fifth rib and killed him.

Verses 28-29: “David” did not punish “Joab” immediately, perhaps because Joab was too important as a military commander. Solomon eventually punished Joab for his crime (1 Kings 2:5-6; 29-35).

2 Samuel 3:28 “And afterward when David heard [it], he said, I and my kingdom [are] guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:”

“The blood of Abner”: Since life is in the blood (Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:11, 14; Deut.12:23), this expression refers to the life of Abner. David made it clear he had nothing to do with the murder of Abner, and David sought the Lord’s help to punish Joab for his evil deed (verse 39).

The fact that the leader of David’s military did this would cause people to believe that David was in on the plot to kill Abner. David immediately denies any part in this deceit. He places the blame clearly at Joab’s feet. This act of treachery, if it were done by David, could cost him the agreement he had just made to be the king of all Israel.

2 Samuel 3:29 “Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.”

That is the blood of Abner, who was the shedder of it; let the guilt of it be charged to him, and let punishment for it be inflicted on him.

“And on all his father’s house”: On Abishai his brother, and other relations that might be privy to the death of Abner, and advising to it, and ready to assist in it if necessary.

“And let there not fail from the house of Joab”: Let there be always in his family, and of his seed, one or other of the persons described as follows.

“One that hath an issue”: A gonorrhea, which was reckoned infamous, and very impure, according to the Jewish law, and rendered persons unfit for society (see Lev. 15:1).

“Or that is a leper”: Whose disease was very loathsome and infectious, and shut him out of the company of men (see Lev. 13:1).

“Or that leaneth on a staff”: Being blind, as Aquila renders the word; or through weakness of body, not being able to walk without one. Or through some disease of the feet, as the Jewish writers generally understand it; and Isaiah interprets it of the gout particularly. The word for “staff” is rendered “spindle” (Prov. 31:19); and to this sense it is rendered here in, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions. And then the meaning is, let his posterity, or some of them, be so poor, that they shall be obliged to get their livelihood in so mean a way as by spinning. Or let them be of such an effeminate disposition, as be more fit to handle the spindle, and do the, work of women, than to use the sword.

“Or that falleth on the sword”: Not by it honorably in the field of battle, but cowardly destroying themselves with it.

“Or that lacketh bread”: And is obliged to beg it. All which David might say, not by a spirit of prophecy, but in a passion; and to show with what horror he resented the action, and how detestable it was to him, and how far it was for him to have any concern in it. But though it was a very wicked action in Joab to murder Abner in this manner, and for the reasons he did; yet it was a just vengeance from the Lord on Abner for fighting against God. And acting against the dictates of his own conscience; for his rebellion against David, and perfidy to Ish-bosheth, and for having been the cause of much bloodshed in Israel.

David is very angry with Joab, for this terrible thing he has done. In a sense, he speaks a curse on Joab and his family. He is very disappointed that the leader of his army would do such a thing. David had a strong feeling of justice to all men. He had just made an agreement that would have brought all of Israel under him as king. This incident could cause the other tribes not to make David their king.

David was an honorable king. He was completely revolted by the sneaky manner that Joab killed Abner to take revenge. Joab never once thought of the good of his country, he just wanted to get even for his brother’s murder. This terrible curse was on all of Joab’s people. They would be sickly from that day forward.

2 Samuel 3:30 “So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.”

For though Joab only committed the murder, yet Abishai was guilty of it. Because it was done with his consent, counsel, help and approbation. For by these and such-like actions men are involved in the guilt of other men’s sins, at least in God’s judgment. Abner slew Asahel in the fury of battle, and for his own necessary defense; and therefore, it was no justification of this unnecessary and treacherous murder in a time of peace.

This is simply a brutal revenge on Abner.

2 Samuel 3:31 “And David said to Joab, and to all the people that [were] with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David [himself] followed the bier.”

“Mourn”: Joab was instructed to lament the death of Abner, as was the custom for commemorating the death of an individual. To further demonstrate David’s condemnation of the killing of Abner, he instructed “all the people” to mourn the death of Abner, including Joab and his men (verses 32-34).

The whole nation must mourn for Abner. David spoke a command, and they must do it, want to, or not. King David showed Abner the respect of a high diplomat in following the bier.

Verses 32-39: David had to distance himself from Joab’s murder of Abner so that the nation would not be divided over it. He was successful in demonstrating his innocence in the matter.

2 Samuel 3:32 “And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.”

The family home, and therefore the natural burial-place, of Abner was at Gibeon (1 Chron. 8:29; 8:33; 9:33); but this may have been now under Ish-bosheth’s control. And at all events, a burial in the royal city of Hebron was more honorable and a more marked testimony to the grief of David.

King David truly was sorry about the death of Abner. David had given his word. Joab actually broke David’s word. Abner was buried with honor in Hebron.

2 Samuel 3:33 “And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?”

Delivered an elegy or funeral oration, which he had composed on this occasion, as Josephus suggests: for he had cried and wept before, but now he expressed something as follows.

“And said, died Abner as a fool dieth?” The meaning of the interrogation is, he did not. The Targum is “did Abner die as wicked men die? ” No, he did not. He did not die for any wickedness he had been guilty of. He did not die as a malefactor, whose crime has been charged and proved in open court, and sentence of condemnation pronounced on him righteously for it. But he died without anything being laid to his charge, and much less proved, and without judge or jury. He was murdered in a clandestine, insidious, and deceitful manner. So the word “fool” is often taken in Scripture for a wicked man, especially in the book of Proverbs. The Septuagint version leaves the word untranslated, “died Abner according to the death of Nabal?” No; but it could hardly be thought that David would mention the name of any particular person on such an occasion.

2 Samuel 3:34 “Thy hands [were] not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, [so] fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.”

The people were moved greatly by the sight of David’s sorrow, but still more by this brief poem of serious reflection over Abner. The whole circumstances are summed up in a few significant words: Abner, so valiant in war, with his hands free for defense, with his feet unfettered, unsuspicious of evil, fell by the treacherous act of a wicked man.

David gave the eulogy for Abner. The thing that disturbed David the worst was the fact that Abner had not been given a chance to defend himself. He had not been tried in a court of law, and found guilty. Joab had taken the law into his own hands. He had killed him without a trial.

Verses 35-39: David’s feelings and conduct in response to Abner’s death tended not only to remove all suspicion of guilt from him, but even turned the tide of public opinion in his favor and paved the way for his reigning over all the tribes much more honorably than by the negotiations of Abner (3:17-19).

2 Samuel 3:35 “And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.”

The fasting of David in his grief had already attracted attention, so that the people came to urge him to take food; but he utterly refused “till the sun be down,” the usual time of ending a fast. David’s conduct had a good effect upon the people, and indeed, they were generally disposed to look favorably upon whatever the king did.

David fasted the entire day, until the sun went down, to show the sincerity of his grief over what had happened.

2 Samuel 3:36 “And all the people took notice [of it], and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.”

Not only of his oath, that he would not eat food till evening, but of his whole conduct at the funeral of Abner; the sorrow he expressed for his death, and the oration he made on account of it, in which he pretty severely reflected on his murderer.

“And it pleased them”: That he showed such a concern for his death, and that it was a clear case he had no hand in it.

“As whatsoever the king did pleased all the people”: What he did at this time, burying Abner with so much pomp and ceremony. And indeed, he had so much of the hearts of the people, and such a share in their affections, and they had such a high opinion of him, that all that he did in public and private affairs they reckoned well done. They were highly approved of by them, such an interest had he in them.

David’s respect for Abner and his actions at his death showed that David was an honorable man. The people were very pleased with the way David handled this situation.

2 Samuel 3:37 “For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.”

Not the people of Judah only, but of Israel also, to whom the knowledge of these things came. They knew and were satisfied by his conduct and behavior, by his words and actions.

“That it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner”: It was not by the counsel or advice of the king, as the Targum. It was without his knowledge and consent and was contrary to his mind and will; that he had no manner of concern in it, and that if it had been in his power he would have prevented it.

Not only did the people of Judah understand what happened was not the wishes of David, but all of Israel realized it.

2 Samuel 3:38 “And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?”

His courtiers, giving a reason why he mourned as he did; or “had said”, and so is a reason why the people concluded, and were fully satisfied, he had no hand in his death. But the first is best, because what follows was said not to the people at the grave, but to his servants at court.

“Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? A “prince”, being of the royal family, his father was Saul’s uncle, and he his own cousin; a “great” man, being general of the army. A very valiant and skillful commander and a man of great wisdom and parts. David says nothing of his grace and virtue, only of his grandeur, his high birth and civil excellences; he praises him in what he was commendable, and proceeds no further. And this was sufficient to show there was just cause of mourning on civil accounts; and this they might easily know and perceive that the fall or death of such a man, which had that day happened in Israel, was a public loss, and matter of lamentation. And the fact that he was employing all his talents in civil affairs and all his interest in the people of Israel; to unite them to Judah and bring them under the government of David.

David speaks high praise of his opponent Abner here. He and Abner had been caught on opposite sides for a long time, but they had settled their differences and decided to live in peace.

2 Samuel 3:39 “And I [am] this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah [be] too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.”

“Weak … hard”: David had not yet solidified his power enough to exact his own judgment without jeopardizing his command. He was still “weak” and needed time to consolidate his authority. Once that was accomplished, he no longer needed to fear the strength of Joab and Abishai, who were Zeruiah’s sons (2:18).

David blames himself for being too weak to control the actions of Joab. David tries to convince them that what Abner tried to do in uniting them, was the right thing to do. David asks God to punish the evil doers.

2 Samuel 3: Questions