2 Samuel 3

Chap. III. Ver. 1—39. Abner quarrels with Ish-bosheth, and goes over to David, but is slain by Joab.—After an enumeration of David’s wives and children, in which we do not feel deeply interested, as it contains not the sacred line of the Messiah, we are introduced to the affairs of Ish-bosheth, son of Saul, and king of Israel. We have already mentioned, that he was supported by Abner, his father’s general-in-chief, who really possessed the kingly power, while his new master enjoyed the name only. This is evident from an incident now before us. Abner, it seems, had formed an improper intimacy with one of his late master’s concubines, and Ish-bosheth, being king, ventured to call him to account for it.

Abner immediately falls into a rage with him, and threatens to transfer the whole kingdom into the hands of David. David considering himself the rightful heir by divine appointment, makes no scruple to treat with him; but with this previous condition, that he should restore to him Michal, his favourite wife, and Saul’s daughter, through his alliance with whom he had become the king’s son-in-law. Not trusting, however, to Abner, who was evidently a rough soldier, lest he should employ violent measures with the princess, he sends also to Ish-bosheth to the same effect. There seems something hard in the case of Michal’s second husband, who appears prior claim, but had purchased her by a dowry, which implied the risk of his own life.

He had never repudiated her, and had only been separated from her by the violence of her father. Abner now communicated with the elders of Israel, advising them to take David for their king, and then came and reconciled himself to David. Joab, however, happened to be absent, and was much offended that this business was conducted in his absence. There is no doubt but he was also jealous lest Abner, being an elder general, and a relation of the late king, should supplant him in his influence with David. Joab therefore affected to treat him as a spy, and remonstrated with David for being reconciled to him. Being determined to get rid of such a rival, he sent after him, probably in the king’s name, though wholly unknown to him; and having obtained a meeting, treacherously stabbed him, under pretence of avenging the blood of Asahel, his brother.

There was, however, this marked difference in the cases; Abner smote Asahel in a time of war, and in his own defence; Joab smote Abner after he had made peace with his master, and when he apprehended no danger. Abner gave Asahel repeated warning that he would strike him, if he continued the pursuit: Joab, on the contrary, took Abner on one side, to speak with him quietly or peaceably. Joab probably considered himself warranted to act thus, in consequence of being the natural avenger of his brother’s blood. This law however, did not apply to persons slain in war; for that would be a system of eternal vengeance. But it did apply to the conduct of Joab himself, who slew Abner treacherously, and was thereby guilty of murder.

It is evidently on that principle that David imprecated vengeance on the head of Joab, though he could not execute it, because the sons of Zeruiah, (Joab and his brother,) were too strong for him. Yet it must have been a mortifying thing to Joab to be ordered to take chief part in the funeral of the man whom he had murdered; much more to have seen the king and all the people weeping and lamenting over him. The concluding verse of this chapter would lead us to pity the fate of kings. David, after a thousand dangers and escapes, is quietly seated in the throne of Judah, and the other tribes are about to tender their submission: but, alas! (and such buts in every case occur,) though both anointed and enthroned, still he feels his authority is weak, and his own military servants are “too hard”

for him. At the moment he is wishing to establish his throne in peace and righteousness, it is stained with blood. “A prince and a great man,” both as a general and a statesman, is fallen by the hand of treachery; and David’s accession is attended with the pomp—not of a coronation, but a public funeral. In all circumstances, however, David seeks and finds his consolation in the doctrine of a divine providence: “The Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.”

Notes on the verses

Chap. III. Ver. 1. There was long war.—That is, frequent skirmishes during the rest of Ish-bosheth’s reign, which lasted about five years. Ver. 6. Abner made himself strong.—Hebrew, “Strengthened himself for (or rather in, Heb. Beth) the house of Saul;” one instance of which was the connexion he formed with one of the late king’s concubines, and which gave great offence to Ish-bosheth, as in the next verse. Ver. 7. Wherefore hast thou gone.—[This action of Abner seems a most evident proof that he intended to seize on the government; and it was so understood by Ish-bosheth.]—Bagster. Hebrews to denote whatever was deemed worthless and contemptible. Something similar to this was the answer of the Turkish commander at Beer, on the Euphrates, to a request made to see the castle.

“Do they,” said he, “take me for a child or an ass’s head, that they would feed me with sweetmeats, and dupe me with a bit of cloth? No, they shall not see the castle.” Drummond’s Travels.—Bagster. Ver. 16. Then said Abner… [he was] employed to conduct Michal home, and therefore gave Phaltiel to return—“and he returned.” The peremptory order to Go.—By this it ensues that Abner was…