2 Samuel 3:32

32 They buried Abner in Hebron. The king's voice was loud in lament as he wept at the side of Abner's grave. All the people wept, too.

2 Samuel 3:32 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 3:32

And they buried Abner in Hebron
According to the Jewish account of places of burial F19, he was buried in the midst of the city, though burying places were generally without; and so Fuller F20 places this in his map; whether the cave of Machpelah, which was near Hebron, was now used for a burying place, is not certain:

and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner;
made a great outcry, a loud lamentation, so as to be heard by all the people; and which no doubt was real and hearty, and not done merely with political views:

and all the people wept;
through concern for the death of Abner, especially on account of the manner in which it was, and in imitation of the king, and being affected with his tears and cries.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 Cippi Heb. p. 8.
F20 Pisgah-Sight in the Map of Judah.

2 Samuel 3:32 In-Context

30 (Joab and his brother, Abishai, murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.)
31 David ordered Joab and all the men under him, "Rip your cloaks into rags! Wear mourning clothes! Lead Abner's funeral procession with loud lament!" King David followed the coffin.
32 They buried Abner in Hebron. The king's voice was loud in lament as he wept at the side of Abner's grave. All the people wept, too.
33 Then the king sang this tribute to Abner: Can this be? Abner dead like a nameless bum?
34 You were a free man, free to go and do as you wished - Yet you fell as a victim in a street brawl. And all the people wept - a crescendo of crying!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.