26 And when Joab had gone from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it.
27 Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab atook him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there1 stabbed him bin the stomach, so that he died for the blood of cAsahel his brother.
28 Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “My kingdom and I are1 guiltless before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
29 aLet it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and let there never fail to be in the1 house of Joab one bwho has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”
30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother aAsahel at Gibeon in the battle.
David’s Mourning for Abner
31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, a“Tear your clothes, bgird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.” And King David followed the coffin.
32 So they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.
34 Your hands were not bound
Nor your feet put into fetters;
As a man falls before wicked men, so you fell.” Then all the people wept over him again.
Nor your feet put into fetters;
As a man falls before wicked men, so you fell.” Then all the people wept over him again.
35 And when all the people came ato persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, b“God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else ctill the sun goes down!”
36 Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s intent to kill Abner the son of Ner.
38 Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, aare too harsh for me. bThe Lord shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness.”
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Book Notes:
Barnes' Book Notes
Introduction to 2 Samuel
See the Introduction to Samuel in the notes on First Samuel
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