2 Samuel 3:33-34 NIV

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 3:33

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 3:33

The king lamented over Abner - This lamentation, though short, is very pathetic. It is a high strain of poetry; but the measure cannot be easily ascertained. Our own translation may be measured thus: - Died Abner as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, Nor thy feet put into fetters. As a man falleth before the wicked. So hast thou fallen! Or thus: - Shall Abner die a death like to a villain's? Thy hands not bound, Nor were the fetters to thy feet applied. Like... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:31-35

( HEBRON .) David's lament over Abner. "As a fool dies should Abner die?— Thy bands unbound, Thy feet not set in fetters: As one falls before the wicked, thou didst fall!" On hearing of the death of Abner, David exhibited the same generous spirit as formerly at the death of Saul ( 2 Samuel 1:11 , 2 Samuel 1:12 ). 1 . He disclaimed (before his trusted servants, as afterwards, 2 Samuel 3:38 ) against having had any part therein; declaring, "I and my kingdom are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:33

The king lamented . The word is the same as that used in 2 Samuel 1:17 . The word rendered "fool" is nabal (for which see 1 Samuel 25:25 ). The idea contained in the word is not that of mere silliness, but of worthlessness also; and thus in Psalms 14:1 we find that the nabal is also an atheist. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:34

Thy hands were not bound. Abner had been put to death by Joab for killing Asahel. But there had been no legal process. He had not been brought in fetters before a judge to be tried for the crime alleged, but murdered for private ends. And thus, "As a man falleth before the children of iniquity, so had he fallen," that is, by crime, and not by law. These words s re probably the refrain of the dirge, like those in 2 Samuel 1:19 , 2 Samuel 1:25 , 2 Samuel 1:27 , and were followed by the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 3:33

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 3:34

Thy hands were not bound ... - This thought prepares the way for the solution; Abner had been treacherously murdered by wicked men. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 3:33-34

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:22-39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:34

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 3:33

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:31-35

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:33

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:34

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 3:33

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 3:34

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 3:33-34

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