All Israel understood. The twenty men who had accompanied Abner would be witnesses of all that David did, and would carry their report of it home, and of the high estimation in which his character was held at Hebron. And this gradually would be told throughout the tribes, and the final verdict of all well-disposed people would be in David's favour. read more
Lamented - i. e. composed and sang the funeral dirge which follows (compare 2 Samuel 1:17).Died Abner ... - i. e. The great and noble and valiant Abner had died as ignobly and as helplessly as the meanest churl! read more
Thy hands were not bound ... - This thought prepares the way for the solution; Abner had been treacherously murdered by wicked men. read more
To eat meat ... - Fasting was a sign of the deepest mourning 2 Samuel 1:12. The fast lasted until the sun was set. read more
2 Samuel 3:30. So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner For though Joab only committed the murder, yet Abishai was chargeable with the guilt of it, because it was done with his consent, counsel, and approbation. And he probably was near at hand when the bloody deed was perpetrated, ready to assist Joab if there should be need. Because he had slain their brother Asahel in battle Which he did for his own necessary defence, and therefore it was no justification of this treacherous murder. read more
2 Samuel 3:31. David said to Joab and all the people, &c. The command was especially given to Joab, to bring him to repentance for his sin, and to expose him to public shame. Rend your clothes and gird you with sackcloth, &c. These were all outward expressions of very great sorrow, which Joab himself was forced, however reluctant, to make a show of. And King David himself followed the bier Was the chief mourner, attending upon the corpse, and paying Abner that respect which was... read more
2 Samuel 3:33-34 . Died Abner as a fool dieth? That is, as a wicked man. Was he cut off by the hand of justice for his crimes? Nothing less; but by Joab’s malice and treachery. It is a sad thing to die as a fool dieth, as they do that any way shorten their own days; and indeed all they that make no provision for another world. Were not bound Thou didst not tamely yield up thyself to Joab, to be bound hand and foot at his pleasure. Joab did not overcome thee in an equal combat, nor durst... read more
2 Samuel 3:35. All the people came to cause David to eat This was agreeable to the usage of the Jews; for when any one died among them, “it was customary with the friends of the family to resort to the house immediately after the funeral, and bring the best provisions they had along with them to support and refresh their friends in affliction, to the utmost of their power. And surely a more humane and benevolent usage never obtained in any country. The presumption was, that people in... read more
2 Samuel 3:36-37. All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them They were satisfied concerning David’s integrity, and the sincerity of his sorrow at the death of Abner, and pleased with the honour he had done that great man. Whatsoever the king did pleased the people By this conduct he so ingratiated himself with them that they were disposed to put a kind construction upon all his actions, as wise and well becoming him. For all Israel understood that it was not of the king to... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:36-38
( HEBRON .) Acceptance with the people. "And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them," etc. ( 2 Samuel 3:36 ). David's conduct not only freed him from suspicion, but also won the confidence and affection of "all the people" ( 1 Samuel 12:3-5 ). I. THE CONDUCT OF ONE IN AUTHORITY IS CAREFULLY OBSERVED BY THE PEOPLE . Because of: 1 . His elevated position, which (like a mountain peak) attracts their attention, and exposes him to their... read more