2 Samuel 3:26-39

Joab Murders Abner

26 When Joab came out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David did not know it.

27 So when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him privately, and there ¹he struck him in the belly so that he died on account of the blood of Asahel his brother.

28 Afterward when David heard it, he said, "I and my kingdom are innocent before * the LORD forever * of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

29 "²May it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's house; and may there not fail from the house of Joab ³one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who takes hold of a distaff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread."

30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner ⁴because * he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

David Mourns Abner

31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "⁵Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner." And King David walked behind the bier.

32 Thus they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at ⁶the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.

33 ⁷The king chanted a lament for Abner and said, "Should Abner die as a fool dies?

34 "Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put in fetters; As one falls before the wicked *, you have fallen." And all the people wept again over him.

35 Then all the people came ⁸to persuade David to eat bread while it was still day; but David vowed, saying, "⁹May God do so to me, and more also, if * I taste bread or anything else ¹⁰before the sun goes down."

36 Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased * them, just as everything * the king did pleased * all the people.

37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the will of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death.

38 Then the king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?

39 "I am ¹¹weak today, though anointed king; and these men ¹²the sons of Zeruiah are too difficult for me. ¹³May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil."

2 Samuel 3:26-39 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 3

This chapter begins with the continuation of the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, 2Sa 3:1; and gives an account of the wives of David, and his sons by them, 2Sa 3:2-5; of a quarrel between Ishbosheth and Abner, 2Sa 3:6-11; and of Abner's proposal to make a league with David; but David would not see his face unless Michal his wife was returned to him, who was accordingly, 2Sa 3:12-16; and of the interest Abner made with the elders of Israel in favour of David, which he reported to him, and promised to make more, 2Sa 3:17-21; but Joab returning from a pursuit, and with great spoil, just as Abner departed, and hearing of it, chided David for letting him go, and privately sent for him back, and treacherously murdered him, 2Sa 3:22-27; from which murder David cleared himself and his kingdom, and for it made dreadful imprecations on Joab and his family, 2Sa 3:28-30; and buried Abner with great lamentation, expressing much concern for his death, and the high opinion he had of him, 2Sa 3:31-39.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 2:23; 2 Samuel 20:9, 10; 1 Kings 2:5
• 2. Deuteronomy 21:6-9; 1 Kings 2:31-33
• 3. Leviticus 13:46
• 4. 2 Samuel 2:23
• 5. Genesis 37:34; Judges 11:35
• 6. Job 31:28, 29; Proverbs 24:17
• 7. 2 Samuel 1:17; 2 Chronicles 35:25
• 8. 2 Samuel 12:17
• 9. 1 Samuel 3:17
• 10. 2 Samuel 1:12
• 11. 1 Chronicles 29:1; 2 Chronicles 13:7
• 12. 2 Samuel 19:5-7
• 13. 1 Kings 2:32-34

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "whirl"
• [b]. Lit "sons of wickedness"
• [c]. Lit "cause"
• [d]. Lit "was good in their eyes"
• [e]. Lit "was good in the eyes of all"