2 Samuel 3:31-39

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 3:31

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:35

And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day ,.... The custom was to bury in the daytime, and after the funeral was over to provide and send in food to the relations of the deceased, and come and eat with them; as was also the usage with the Greeks and Romans F23 Vid. Kirchman. de Funer. Roman, l. 4. c. 5. & 6. ; See Gill on Jeremiah 16:5 and See Gill on Jeremiah 16:7 ; and kings themselves used to attend those feasts; for the Jews say F24 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:36

And all the people took notice of it ,.... Not only of his oath, that he would not eat food till evening, but of his whole conduct at the funeral of Abner; the sorrow he expressed for his death, and the oration he made on account of it, in which he pretty severely reflected on his murderer: and it pleased them ; that he showed such a concern for his death, and that it was a clear case he had no hand in it: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people ; what he did at this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:37

For all the people and all Israel understood that day ,.... Not the people of Judah only, but of Israel also, to whom the knowledge of these things came; they knew and were satisfied by his conduct and behaviour, by his words and actions: that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner ; it was not by the counsel or advice of the king, as the Targum; it was without his knowledge and consent, was contrary to his mind and will; that he had no manner of concern in it, and that if... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:38

And the king said unto his servants ,.... His courtiers, giving a reason why he mourned as he did; or "had said" F23 יואמר "nam dixerat", Junius & Tremellius. , and so is a reason why the people concluded, and were fully satisfied, he had no hand in his death; but the first is best, because what follows was said not to the people at the grave, but to his servants at court: know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel ? a "prince", being of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:39

And I am this day weak, though anointed king ,.... Which seems to be given as a reason, or for an excuse why he did not inflict just punishment upon the murderer, according to the law of God, because he was "weak"; not in body or mind, but with respect to the kingdom, that was like a tender branch, or in its infant state; and great care and caution were to be used that it was not overturned: he was a king by unction, not by birth; a son of the late king was yet up against him, and was... read more

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