2 Samuel 3:28-34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:22-39

We have here an account of the murder of Abner by Joab, and David's deep resentment of it. I. Joab very insolently fell foul upon David for treating with Abner. He happened to be abroad upon service when Abner was with David, pursuing a troop, either of Philistines or of Saul's party; but, upon his return, he was informed that Abner was just gone (2 Sam. 3:22, 23), and that a great many kind things had passed between David and him. He had all the reason in the world to be satisfied of David's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:28

And afterward, when David heard it ,.... That Joab had sent to fetch Abner back, and that he had stabbed him in the gate of the city, and he was dead; it was some time after it was done that the news of it was brought to David; this circumstance is observed, the more to clear the king from any concern in this affair: he said ; in a public manner, in open court, before all his princes; he called God to witness, and, as Josephus F9 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 1. sect. 6. says, stretching out... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:29

Let it rest on the head of Joab ,.... That is, the blood of Abner, who was the shedder of it; let the guilt of it be charged to him, and let punishment for it be inflicted on him: and on all his father's house ; on Abishai his brother, and other relations that might be privy to the death of Abner, and advising to it, and ready to assist in it if necessary: and let there not fail from the house of Joab ; let there be always in his family, and of his seed, one or other of the persons... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 1. sect. 6.) 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:31

And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him ,.... To his whole court, Joab being present: for he did not flee, nor was he laid hold on in order to be brought to justice; which shows how great his power was, and that he was too hard for David, as in 2 Samuel 3:39 ; however this he did, he enjoined his whole court, and Joab also, to express public mourning on this account: rend your clothes and gird you with sackcloth ; which were expressions of mourning used on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:32

And they buried Abner in Hebron ,.... According to the Jewish account of places of burial F19 Cippi Heb. p. 8. , he was buried in the midst of the city, though burying places were generally without; and so Fuller F20 Pisgah-Sight, &c.; in the Map of Judah. 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:33

And the king lamented over Abner ,.... Delivered an elegy or funeral oration, which he had composed on this occasion, as Josephus F21 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 1. sect. 6.) suggests: for he had cried and wept before, but now he expressed something as follows: and said, died Abner as a fool dieth ? the meaning of the interrogation is, he did not; the Targum is"did Abner die as wicked men die?'no, he did not; he did not die for any wickedness he had been guilty of; he did not die... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:34

Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters ,.... As malefactors are when they are taken up for any crime, and especially when proved upon them, and condemned for it, and brought forth to be executed. This was not his case, and had he been aware of the design against him, as his hands and feet were at liberty, he might have defended himself; or if he found he had too many to deal with, might have made use of his feet and fled: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 3:29

Let it rest on the head - All these verbs may be rendered in the future tense: it will rest on the head of Joab, etc. This was a prophetic declaration, which sufficiently showed the displeasure of God against this execrable man. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 3:31

David said to Joab - He commanded him to take on him the part of a principal mourner. read more

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