2 Samuel 3:31-35

31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier.
32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also.
33 The king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner have died as the lawless die?
34 Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before the wicked.” And all the people wept over him again.
35 Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!”

2 Samuel 3:31-35 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 7

  • 1. 2 Samuel 1:2,11; Psalms 30:11; Psalms 35:13; Psalms 69:11; Isaiah 20:2
  • 2. S Genesis 37:34
  • 3. S Numbers 14:1; Proverbs 24:17
  • 4. S Genesis 50:10; 2 Samuel 1:17
  • 5. Job 36:8; Psalms 2:3; Psalms 149:8; Isaiah 45:14; Nahum 3:10
  • 6. S Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 3:17
  • 7. S 1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:12; 2 Samuel 12:17; Jeremiah 16:7
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