Joab Murders Abner
Introduction:
Joab is an example of an individual following the desires of his sinful nature.
The sinful nature wants to do evil … Galatians 5:17 NLT
Note the destructive forces of sin in this story.
2 Samuel 3:22-39 NLT
Joab Murders Abner
22 But just after David had sent Abner away in safety, Joab and some of David’s troops returned from a raid, bringing much plunder with them. 23 When Joab arrived, he was told that Abner had just been there visiting the king and had been sent away in safety.
24 Joab rushed to the king and demanded, “What have you done? What do you mean by letting Abner get away? 25 You know perfectly well that he came to spy on you and find out everything you’re doing!”
26 Joab then left David and sent messengers to catch up with Abner, asking him to return. They found him at the well of Sirah and brought him back, though David knew nothing about it. 27 When Abner arrived back at Hebron, Joab took him aside at the gateway as if to speak with him privately. But then he stabbed Abner in the stomach and killed him in revenge for killing his brother Asahel.
28 When David heard about it, he declared, “I vow by the Lord that I and my kingdom are forever innocent of this crime against Abner son of Ner. 29 Joab and his family are the guilty ones. May the family of Joab be cursed in every generation with a man who has open sores or leprosy or who walks on crutches or dies by the sword or begs for food!”
30 So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.
David Mourns Abner’s Death
31 Then David said to Joab and all those who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on burlap. Mourn for Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the procession to the grave. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king and all the people wept at his graveside. 33 Then the king sang this funeral song for Abner:
“Should Abner have died as fools die?
34 Your hands were not bound;
your feet were not chained.
No, you were murdered—
the victim of a wicked plot.”
All the people wept again for Abner. 35 David had refused to eat anything on the day of the funeral, and now everyone begged him to eat. But David had made a vow, saying, “May God strike me and even kill me if I eat anything before sundown.”
36 This pleased the people very much. In fact, everything the king did pleased them! 37 So everyone in Judah and all Israel understood that David was not responsible for Abner’s murder.
38 Then King David said to his officials, “Don’t you realize that a great commander has fallen today in Israel? 39 And even though I am the anointed king, these two sons of Zeruiah—Joab and Abishai—are too strong for me to control. So may the Lord repay these evil men for their evil deeds.”
Examine the Scriptures
2 Samuel 3:22-39 NLT
Joab Murders Abner
22 But just after David had sent Abner away in safety,
Previous lesson:
2 Samuel 3:20-21
20 When Abner and twenty of his men came to Hebron, David entertained them with a great feast. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go and call an assembly of all Israel to support my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you to make you their king, and you will rule over everything your heart desires.” So David sent Abner safely on his way.
- David was at peace with Abner and now treated him as a friend and ally.
Joab and some of David’s troops returned from a raid, bringing much plunder with them.
Remember: Joab was the commander of David’s army.
No details of this raid are given. We do know, however, this is what armies did routinely.
2 Samuel 11:1 NLT
11:1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight ….
1 Chronicles 20:1 NLT
20:1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, Joab led the Israelite army in successful attacks …
23 When Joab arrived, he was told that Abner had just been there visiting the king and had been sent away in safety.
24 Joab rushed to the king and demanded, “What have you done? What do you mean by letting Abner get away?
- Joab was upset when he found out that David had entertained Abner with a great feast.
2 Samuel 3:20 NLT
20 When Abner and twenty of his men came to Hebron, David entertained them with a great feast.
Joab would have viewed Abner as the enemy.
Abner was the rival commander-in-chief.
Joab wanted revenge (verse 27) not reconciliation.
Joab was upset when he found out that David had entertained Abner with a great feast.
In addition to wanting revenge for the death of his brother, Joab appears to be jealous of the attention Abner was getting from David.
(If it wasn’t jealousy, it was one of the sins listed in Galatians 5:19-21.)
Jealousy (sin) is a serious and destructive problem.
James 3:16 NLT
16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
Proverbs 14:30 NLT
30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
Proverbs 27:4 LT
4 Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood,
but jealousy is even more dangerous.
25 You know perfectly well that he came to spy on you
Many translations say:
came to deceive you
- Joab accused Abner of deception.
and find out everything you’re doing!”
Joab accused Abner of being a spy.
- Joab tries to discredit Abner in David’s eyes.
26 Joab then left David and sent messengers to catch up with Abner, asking him to return. They found him at the well of Sirah
Sirah is about 2.5 miles north of Hebron. ??? Precise location of the well is unknown.
and brought him back,
Joab is being deceptive.
though David knew nothing about it.
(This will be addressed in more detail later in this lesson.)
27 When Abner arrived back at Hebron, Joab took him aside at the gateway as if to speak with him privately.
- Joab deceived Abner (refer to verse 25).
But then he stabbed Abner in the stomach and killed him in revenge for killing his brother Asahel.
Remember: Joab and Asahel were brothers.
1 Chronicles 2:13-16 NLT
13 Jesse’s … seventh was David.
16 Their sisters were named Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah had three sons named Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
Abishai was a part of this plot.
In verse 30 we read: So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner.
Reasons for Joab to dislike Abner included:
Abner was the rival commander-in-chief,
Abner was highly respected (cf. v. 38).
Abner was a threat to Joab’s career advancement,
Abner had killed his brother, Asahel, in battle (v. 30).
These are all possible reasons for Joab’s jealousy.
Joab was a murderer. His killing of Abner was the result of a blood feud; it was not an act of war. (blood vengeance)
Abner had killed Asahel in the course of battle.
- Joab killed Abner in revenge for killing his brother Asahel.
Romans 12:19 NLT
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
Note: (This may or may not apply here.)
Hebron was a city of refuge
Joshua 21:13 NLT
13 The following towns with their pasturelands were given to the descendants of Aaron the priest: Hebron (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone),
2 Samuel 2:22 NLT
22 Again Abner shouted to him, “Get away from here! I don’t want to kill you. How could I ever face your brother Joab again?”
Where such revenge was not permitted.
28 When David heard about it, he declared, “I vow by the Lord that I and my kingdom are forever innocent of this crime against Abner son of Ner.
- David was very careful to let everyone know that Abner’s murder was Joab’s doing and not his.
If it had been David’s doing, he would have lost the support of the northern tribes.
29 Joab and his family are the guilty ones. May the family of Joab be cursed in every generation with a man who has open sores or leprosy or who walks on crutches or dies by the sword or begs for food!”
Remember, Joab was a nephew of David.
- David cursed Joab, but at this point in time Joab was not punished for murdering Abner.
30 So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.
David Mourns Abner’s Death
- David cursed Joab (his nephew) and mourns for Abner (a former adversary).
31 Then David said to Joab and all those who were with him,
“Tear your clothes and put on burlap. Mourn for Abner.”
- Joab was compelled, by David, to join the mourners.
And King David himself walked behind the procession to the grave.
Note: The writer refers to David as “King David”.
David’s public presence in the mourning procession communicated to the public that he respected Abner and had not ordered Abner’s killing.
32 They buried Abner in Hebron,
This was another indication that Abner had shifted his support from Saul to David.
and the king and all the people wept at his graveside.
33 Then the king sang this funeral song for Abner:
“Should Abner have died as fools die?
Abner had been deceived by Joab, an enemy posing as a friend.
34 Your hands were not bound;
your feet were not chained.
No, you were murdered—
the victim of a wicked plot.”
A seasoned warrior became the victim of a wicked plot.
David’s compassion and forgiving spirit toward Abner are evident here, qualities that separated him from most other men.
- David’s funeral song reflected his respect for Abner.
All the people wept again for Abner. 35 David had refused to eat anything on the day of the funeral, and now everyone begged him to eat. But David had made a vow, saying, “May God strike me and even kill me if I eat anything before sundown.”
36 This pleased the people very much. In fact, everything the king did pleased them! 37 So everyone in Judah and all Israel understood that David was not responsible for Abner’s murder.
- Judah and Israel were gradually coming back together,
38 Then King David said to his officials, “Don’t you realize that a great commander has fallen today in Israel?
Here again David shows high respect for Abner.
39 And even though I am the anointed king, these two sons of Zeruiah—Joab and Abishai—are too strong for me to control.
- David admits that Joab and Abishai are too strong for his to control.
We know from previous lessons that in the northern kingdom Abner, the commander of Ishbosheth’s army, was more powerful than Ishbosheth the king.
In the same way, David, the king of Judah, had, at times, difficulty controlling Joab, the commander of his army.
Joab was a brave, competent, and skilled military leader.
Joab won many key battles for David.
Joab was able to influence David’s decisions.
At times Joab acted in his own interest.
At times Joab disregarded David’s orders.
At times Juab’s actions were ruthless.
At times David was unable to control Joab.
So may the Lord repay these evil men for their evil deeds.”
Even though David felt that he could not control Joab, he had faith that God would repay Joab for killing Abner.
Note:
Joab is still in the picture when David is on his deathbed.
David’s final instructions to Solomon.
1 Kings 2:5-6 NLT
5 “And there is something else. You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace, staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood. 6 Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace.
