2 Samuel 3:28

Joab Murders Abner · 2 Samuel 3:22–30
Read 2 Samuel 3

Translations

Modern
Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.
Traditional
And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
Literal
And David heard it after thus, and he said, “I and My kingdom are guiltless before YHWH, even to forever, of the blood of Abner son of Ner.
Latin
Quod cum audisset David rem jam gestam, ait: Mundus ego sum, et regnum meum apud Dominum usque in sempiternum, a sanguine Abner filii Ner:

Original

Hebrew
English
Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.

Notes

  • David made it clear that he had no part in Abner’s death and described it as a crime. David understood that because his second-in-command had killed Abner, people loyal to Saul’s family might believe that David had ordered the killing.

  • before the LORD: David called on the Lord to hold him accountable if he were lying.

The house of David (David’s family line and those loyal to his rule) grew stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker. A key turning point came when Abner, who held the real political power among Saul’s followers, changed his loyalty to David. When Abner did this, many of his relatives from the northern tribes followed him.

Theme notes and profiles

Abishai Abner David Joab

Events

People

Abner: Saul's cousin and commander of his army David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Ner: Father of Abner, King Saul's commander

Glossary

Abner Avenger of Blood David Ishbosheth Joab Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Abner: Murdered by Joab; David's Sorrow For Chiding: David Chides Joab for Killing Abner Imprecation: David Tact in David's Popular Methods in Mourning for Abner