2 Samuel 3:22-29

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 3:22

And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop ,.... A troop of robbers, that made an incursion into the land, taking the advantage of a civil war between Israel and Judah; such as the Edomites, Amalekites, and especially the Philistines; which Joab hearing of went out in pursuit of them, and overtook them: and brought in a great spoil with them ; which they took from them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron : when Joab and his army entered the city... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:23

When Joab and all the host that was with him were come ,.... To Hebron, or rather to David's court; for their coming to the city is before mentioned; this must be understood not of the whole army, of all the common soldiers, but of the chief officers, who with Joab came to court, to wait upon David, and report their success: they told Joab, saying, Abner the son, of Ner came to the king ; some of the courtiers informed him of it, who knew it would not be very agreeable to him: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:24

Then Joab came to the king ,.... To the apartment where he was; perhaps he was told the above at his first entering into the king's palace, by some in waiting, before he came to the king, which filled him with wrath, so that he came to him in a passion: and said to him, what hast thou done ? which was very insolent in a subject to say to his prince: behold, Abner came unto thee ; I have been credibly informed of it, and am assured it is a fact which cannot be denied; he represents it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:25

Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner ,.... Thou canst not be ignorant what a cunning deceitful man he is, nor of his designs; or dost thou not know? art thou ignorant? so read the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, with an interrogation: that he came to deceive thee : with false hopes, or to lead into wrong measures with an intention to involve and ruin him: and to know thy going out, and coming in ; the affairs of his court, the secrets of his government, to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:26

And when Joab was come out from David ,.... Which perhaps he did at once, as soon as ever he had spoken his mind, and flew out of the room in a great passion, not waiting for the king's answer, since we read of none returned; though it may be the king disdained to give him one, or cared not to confer with him while in his passion, until it subsided; or chose not to provoke him more, for it is plain he had great power over him; which generals of armies at this time very much assumed, see 2... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:27

And when Abner was returned to Hebron ,.... Alone, and not the twenty men with him; not to David's court, but just to the city, to the gate of it: Joab took him aside in the gate : where he was waiting for him, and met him; this was a public place, where people were continually passing and repassing, and where courts of judicature used to be held; wherefore Abner might think himself safe here with Joab, and have no suspicion at all of his design, and shows how fearless Joab was of God or... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 3:27

And smote him there - Joab feared that, after having rendered such essential services to David, Abner would be made captain of the host: he therefore determined to prevent it by murdering the man, under pretense of avenging the death of his brother Asahel. The murder, however, was one of the most unprovoked and wicked: and such was the power and influence of this nefarious general, that the king dared not to bring him to justice for his crime. In the same way he murdered Amasa, a... read more

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