2 Samuel 3:22-39
Q.1. How did Joab receive the news of David’s covenant with Abner? What did Joab do? How did David distance himself from the murder? – (2 Sam.3:22-30)
Joab had led David’s troops out into a successful raid. Not only was Abner a rival general but he had also killed his brother, Asahel (c.f. 2 Sam.2:12-13, 23). Joab was furious when he heard about David’s acceptance of Abner. To his credit, Joab went directly to David. He warned him that Abner could not be trusted (2 Sam.3:22-25). Joab then took things into his own hands without telling David, called Abner back, and killed him – on account of the blood of Asahel his brother (2 Sam.3:27 c.f. 2 Sam.3:26-27 & 30). When David heard the news, he distanced himself from Joab’s treachery and said – 28 … “I and my kingdom are innocent before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 May it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house … (2 Sam.3:28-29).
Q.2. How did David lament Abner’s death? What impact did his grieving have on Israel? How did David relate to his sister’s sons? – (2 Sam.3:31-39)
David then called on the people to join him in expressing their grief for the murder of Abner (2 Sam.3:31-32). He took up a lament that expressed his sorrow for the wicked circumstances of his passing and refused to eat till after sundown (2 Sam.3:33-35 & 38). His wise action confirmed his innocence and – 36 all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, just as everything the king did pleased all the people. 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the will of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death (2 Sam.3:36-37). Zeruiah was David’s sister. Her sons were a trial to David, and his relationship with Joab would always be tense (2 Sam.3:39 c.f. 2 Sam.18:5, 9-15; 19:1-7; 24:1-4). Though the brothers of Joab, Abishai and Asahel, are recorded amongst David’s mighty men, Joab himself is missing (c.f. 2 Sam.23:18 & 24).