2 Samuel 3:27
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.]
2 Samuel 3:29
blood whirl <02342> [rest.]
cease <03772> [let there.]
cease <03772> [fail. Heb. be cut off. an issue.]
2 Samuel 3:34
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.]
2 Samuel 11:14-15
wrote ... letter <03789 05612> [wrote a letter.]
It was resolved in David's breast that Uriah must die--that innocent, valiant, and gallant man, who was ready to sacrifice his life for the honour of his prince; and, worse than all, by being himself made the bearer of letters to Joab which prescribed the mode by which he was to be murdered. This was the greatest treachery and villany on the part of David; while Joab appears to enter as fully upon the execution of the murder, being perhaps pleased to have this opportunity of further enthralling his king, and thus increasing his own power.
Station Uriah <03051 0223> [Set ye.]
withdraw <02389> [hottest. Heb. strong. from him. Heb. from after him. and die.]
2 Samuel 11:1
[A.M. 2969. B.C. 1035. An. Ex. Is. 456. after the year, etc. Heb. at the return of the year.]
time <06256> [at the time.]
The sacred historian seems to intimate that there was one particular time of the year to which military operations were limited; and Josephus informs us that this took place in the beginning of spring. In another part of his works he says, that as soon as spring was begun, Adad levied and led forth his army against the Hebrews. Antiochus also prepared to invade Judea at the first appearance of spring; and Vespasian marched to Antipatris at the commencement of the same season. The kings and armies of the East, says Chardin, do not march but when there is grass, and when they can encamp, which is in April. This rule, however, seems to be disregarded in modern times.
David sent out ................... David <07971 01732> [David sent.]
Rabbah <07237> [Rabbah.]
2 Samuel 2:5-6
David <01732> [David.]
This was a generous and noble act, highly indicative of the grandeur of David's mind. He respected Saul, though he had been greatly injured by him, as the anointed king of Israel, and once his legitimate sovereign; and he loved Jonathan as his most intimate friend.
blessed <01288> [Blessed.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
may ................ done <06213> [I also.]
