2 Samuel 3:30

30 So Joab and his brother Abishai took revenge on Abner for killing their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

2 Samuel 3:30 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 3:30

So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner
For though it was only Joab that gave him the thrust of which he died, Abishai was in the secret, and was consenting and advising to his death, and so an accessory to it; and might be present, ready to assist in it, if occasion required; and so Josephus ^F11 expressly says, that Abishai his brother was with him when he drew his sword, and smote him:

because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle:
which was no just reason at all; his blood was shed in war, this in peace, in cold blood, and under the guise of friendship; that was shed with reluctance, and after fair warning, and in defence of himself; but this wilfully in Joab, unawares to Abner, and in great deceit and hypocrisy; see ( 1 Kings 2:5 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 1. sect. 6.)

2 Samuel 3:30 In-Context

28 When David heard the news, he said, "The Lord knows that my subjects and I are completely innocent of the murder of Abner.

29 May the punishment for it fall on Joab and all his family! In every generation may there be some man in his family who has gonorrhea or a dreaded skin disease or is fit only to do a woman's work or is killed in battle or doesn't have enough to eat!"

30 So Joab and his brother Abishai took revenge on Abner for killing their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

31 Then David ordered Joab and his men to tear their clothes, wear sackcloth, and mourn for Abner. And at the funeral King David himself walked behind the coffin.

32 Abner was buried at Hebron, and the king wept aloud at the grave, and so did all the people.