2Sa 3:27, 29, 34, 11:14-15, 1Ki 2:5-6 | TSK | STEP | took him. quietly. or, peaceably. and smote.Joab was afraid that Abner, after rendering such essential service to David, would be made the general of the army; and therefore, under pretence of avenging the death of his brother, he treacherously assassinated the unsuspecting and too-confiding Abner: and such was the power of this cool-blooded and nefarious murderer, that the king dared not bring him to justice for his crime. But, while Joab's conduct cannot be too severely reprobated, the justice of God is apparent in Abner's punishment; who, from ambition, had pertinaciously, against his conscience, opposed the declared will of God; and was induced by base resentment to desert Ish-bosheth, and offer his services to David: see ver. 6-10; 4:6. for the blood.

2 Samuel 3:27

took him.

quietly. or, peaceably.

and smote.Joab was afraid that Abner, after rendering such essential service to David, would be made the general of the army; and therefore, under pretence of avenging the death of his brother, he treacherously assassinated the unsuspecting and too-confiding Abner: and such was the power of this cool-blooded and nefarious murderer, that the king dared not bring him to justice for his crime. But, while Joab's conduct cannot be too severely reprobated, the justice of God is apparent in Abner's punishment; who, from ambition, had pertinaciously, against his conscience, opposed the declared will of God; and was induced by base resentment to desert Ish-bosheth, and offer his services to David: see ver. 6-10; 4:6.

for the blood.

2:19-23

2 Samuel 3:29

rest.

1:16; Jud 9:24,56,57; 1Ki 2:31-34; Ac 28:4; Re 16:6

let there.

1Sa 2:32-36; 2Ki 5:27; Ps 109:8-19

fail. Heb. be cut off. an issue.

Le 13:44-46; 2Ki 5:1

2 Samuel 3:34

hands.The hand of malefactors were usually secured with cords, and their feet with fetters; a custom to which David affectingly alludes in his lamentation over the dust of Abner. Thy hands, O Abner, were not bound, as found to be a malefactor, nor thy feet put in fetters; thou was treated with honour by him whose business it was to judge thee, and thy attachment to the house of Saul was esteemed rather generous than culpable: as the best of men may fall, so thou fellest by the sword of treachery, not of justice.

Jud 16:21; Ps 107:10,11

wicked men. Heb. children of iniquity.

Job 24:14; Ho 6:9

wept.

1:12

2 Samuel 11:14-15

wrote a letter.It was resolved in David's breast that Uriah must die--that innocent, valiant, and gallant man, who was ready to sacrifice his life for the honour of his prince; and, worse than all, by being himself made the bearer of letters to Joab which prescribed the mode by which he was to be murdered. This was the greatest treachery and villany on the part of David; while Joab appears to enter as fully upon the execution of the murder, being perhaps pleased to have this opportunity of further enthralling his king, and thus increasing his own power.

1Ki 21:8-10; Ps 19:13; 52:2; 62:9; Jer 9:1-4; 17:9; Mic 7:3-5

Set ye.

17; 1Sa 18:17,21,25; Ps 51:4,14; Jer 20:13

hottest. Heb. strong. from him. Heb. from after him. anddie.

12:9