2 Samuel 3:22-39
done <06213> [What hast.]
Joab and his brother Abishai, David's nephews, had been very faithful and highly useful to him in his distresses; and, from gratitude and natural affection, he had inadvertently permitted them to assume almost as much ascendancy over him as Abner had over the pusillanimous Ishbosheth: he trusted and feared them too much, and allowed them all the importance they claimed; which had emboldened them, especially Joab, to a high degree of presumption.
came <0935> [that he came.]
know ................. determine ........... discover <03045> [and to know.]
sent <07971> [he sent.]
aside <05186> [took him.]
privately <07987> [quietly. or, peaceably.]
stabbed <05221> [and smote.]
Joab was afraid that Abner, after rendering such essential service to David, would be made the general of the army; and therefore, under pretence of avenging the death of his brother, he treacherously assassinated the unsuspecting and too-confiding Abner: and such was the power of this cool-blooded and nefarious murderer, that the king dared not bring him to justice for his crime. But, while Joab's conduct cannot be too severely reprobated, the justice of God is apparent in Abner's punishment; who, from ambition, had pertinaciously, against his conscience, opposed the declared will of God; and was induced by base resentment to desert Ish-bosheth, and offer his services to David: see ver. 6-10; 4:6.
blood <01818> [for the blood.]
innocent <05355> [guiltless.]
blood <01818> [blood. Heb. bloods.]
blood whirl <02342> [rest.]
cease <03772> [let there.]
cease <03772> [fail. Heb. be cut off. an issue.]
killed Abner <02026 074> [slew Abner.]
killed <04191> [because.]
David ....................... David <01732> [And David.]
David, intending no doubt to punish Joab, and to lessen his authority with the people, commanded him to take upon him the office of chief mourner; but, as his revenge was gratified, his rival removed, and no heavier punishment inflicted, it is probable his hardened mind would feel but little objection to the ceremony.
Tear <07167> [Rend.]
bier <04296> [bier. Heb. bed.]
loudly <05375> [lifted.]
fool <05036 04194> [as a fool dieth.]
That is, as a bad man, as the word frequently signifies in Scripture.
hands <03027> [hands.]
The hand of malefactors were usually secured with cords, and their feet with fetters; a custom to which David affectingly alludes in his lamentation over the dust of Abner. Thy hands, O Abner, were not bound, as found to be a malefactor, nor thy feet put in fetters; thou was treated with honour by him whose business it was to judge thee, and thy attachment to the house of Saul was esteemed rather generous than culpable: as the best of men may fall, so thou fellest by the sword of treachery, not of justice.
criminals <05766 01121> [wicked men. Heb. children of iniquity.]
wept <01058> [wept.]
encouraged <01262> [cause.]
punish <06213> [So do.]
before ... sun <06440 08121> [till the.]
[pleased them. Heb. was good in their eyes. as.]
leader <08269> [a prince.]
Today <03117> [I am.]
weak <07390> [weak. Heb. tender.]
sons <01121> [the sons.]
too much .... to bear <07186> [too hard.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
