2 Samuel 3:27

_THOU KNOWEST ABNER THE SON OF NER, THAT HE CAME TO DECEIVE THEE, AND TO KNOW THY GOING OUT AND THY COMING IN, AND TO KNOW ALL THAT THOU DOEST._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

22-39 Judgments are prepared for such scorners as Abner; but Joab, in what he did, acted wickedly. David laid Abner's murder deeply to heart, and in many ways expressed his detestation of it. The guilt of blood brings a curse upon families: if men do not avenge it, God will. It is a sad thing to die like a fool, as they do that any way shorten their own days, and those who make no provision for another world. Who would be fond of power, when a man may have the name of it, and must be accountable for it, yet is hampered in the use of it? David ought to have done his duty, and then trusted God with the issue. Carnal policy spared Joab. The Son of David may long delay, but never fails to punish impenitent sinners. He who now reigns upon the throne of David, has a kingdom of a nobler kind. Whatever He doeth, is noticed by all his willing people, and is pleasing to them....

Verse 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 little time afterwards. See 2 Samuel 20:10. Joab was a cool-blooded, finished murderer. "Treason and murder ever keep together, like two yoke-devils....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 3:1 THERE WAS LONG WAR. As Ishbosheth reigned only two years, and as "the house of Saul" is the phrase used, it seems probable that after Ishbosheth's murder, during the five years before David's election to the throne of all Israel, the house of Saul had some puppet representative at Mahanaim, and some commander in Abner's place. But after the death of this able man matters would go from bad to worse, and, though David probably remained on the defensive, yet the contrast between the peace and good government of Judah and the misery in Israel made all the tribes wish to put an end to a harassing civil war. It is plain, too, that the Philistines, repelled at first by Abner's skill, had again gained the ascendant, and regarded themselves so completely as the rulers of the country, that they resented immediately with summ

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 men: TO SPEAK WITH HIM QUIETLY; peaceably, in a friendly manner, as all his gestures towards him showed; so that Abner made no difficulty of turning aside with him, supposing he had something to communicate to him from the king, which he had forgot: AND SMOTE HIM UNDER THE FIFTH [RIB], THAT HE DIED; in the same place that Abner had smote his brother, of which see...

4. ABNER'S DEEDS AND END CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The long war and its results (2 Samuel 3:1)_ 2. David's family (2 Samuel 3:2) 3. Abner's defiant deed (2 Samuel 3:6) 4. Abner and Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 3:8) 5. Abner's defection to David (2 Samuel 3:12) 6. David's request (2 Samuel 3:13) 7. Abner with David (2 Samuel 3:17)...

Joab had been absent on a foray during Abner's visit; on his return, he induced Abner to come back and meet him and then treacherously assassinated him, to avenge the death of Asahel. 2 SAMUEL 3:26. SIRAH: not identified. 2 Samuel 3:27. midst: read, side of with LXX....

Abner treacherously murdered by Joab 22. _from_pursuing _a troop_ Lit. _from the troop_, i.e. FROM THE FORAY, or plundering expedition on which they had gone to procure supplies. In the absence of taxes and regular pay, it was the only means of supporting an army. Comp. David's practice at Ziklag (1 Samuel 27:8 ff.)....

FOR THE BLOOD OF ASAHEL HIS BROTHER— How empty and ill-founded are the purposes of vain man! Abner, who promises kingdoms, (2 Samuel 3:10.) cannot secure to himself one single hour of life. David had _sent him away,_ and he _departed in peace;_ but being called back by _Joab,_ he fell. Envy, doubtless, and jealousy of Abner's merit with David in gaining over the tribes to him, were principal motives to this base action, as well as revenge for the blood of Asahel....

_Joab Murders Abner._ 2 Samuel 3:22-30 22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from _pursuing_ a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner _was_ not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the host that _was_ with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why _is_ it _that_ thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. 26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of