2 Samuel 3:20-30

20 venitque ad David in Hebron cum viginti viris et fecit David Abner et viris eius qui venerant cum eo convivium

21 et dixit Abner ad David surgam ut congregem ad te dominum meum regem omnem Israhel et ineam tecum foedus et imperes omnibus sicut desiderat anima tua cum ergo deduxisset David Abner et ille isset in pace

22 statim pueri David et Ioab venerunt caesis latronibus cum praeda magna nimis Abner autem non erat cum David in Hebron quia iam dimiserat eum et profectus fuerat in pace

23 et Ioab et omnis exercitus qui erat cum eo postea venerant nuntiatum est itaque Ioab a narrantibus venit Abner filius Ner ad regem et dimisit eum et abiit in pace

24 et ingressus est Ioab ad regem et ait quid fecisti ecce venit Abner ad te quare dimisisti eum et abiit et recessit

25 ignoras Abner filium Ner quoniam ad hoc venit ut deciperet te et sciret exitum tuum et introitum tuum et nosset omnia quae agis

26 egressus itaque Ioab a David misit nuntios post Abner et reduxit eum a cisterna Sira ignorante David

27 cumque redisset Abner in Hebron seorsum abduxit eum Ioab ad medium portae ut loqueretur ei in dolo et percussit illum ibi in inguine et mortuus est in ultionem sanguinis Asahel fratris eius

28 quod cum audisset David rem iam gestam ait mundus ego sum et regnum meum apud Dominum usque in sempiternum a sanguine Abner filii Ner

29 et veniat super caput Ioab et super omnem domum patris eius nec deficiat de domo Ioab fluxum seminis sustinens et leprosus tenens fusum et cadens gladio et indigens pane

30 igitur Ioab et Abisai frater eius interfecerunt Abner eo quod occidisset Asahel fratrem eorum in Gabaon in proelio

2 Samuel 3:20-30 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.