2 Samuel 3:39

39. Weak though anointed king I needed the co-operation and influence of Abner to strengthen me in the kingdom.

Too hard for me Rather, too strong for me; that is, too strong in authority and too well defended by the ancient law of blood-revenge. The murder of Asahel in battle, after repeated warnings, (2 Samuel 2:22,) was not a crime sufficient to justify Joab’s deliberate and dastardly revenge; but Abner’s words, “How then should I hold up my face to Joab?” show that he felt that the murder of Asahel would expose him to a bloody feud with his brother. Had the congregation judged between Abner and Joab according tothe Israelitish laws on murder, (Numbers 35:24,) they would doubtless have decided that Joab had not sufficient ground to take blood revenge on Abner. But the deed having been done without the gate of the city, and the sons of Zeruiah acknowledging it as their act of revenge for Asahel, David saw and felt his impotence to punish the assassins, and left the matter for a future judgment. 1 Kings 2:5.