2 Samuel 3

Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin

2 Samuel 3

Spurgeon has an interesting comment on David's actions - He had not, however, the manly courage to summon Joab to the bar as a murderer. David was afraid of him; the man had all the army at his back: and instead of being, as in his youthful days, fearless of man, David became for awhile a time-server, and permitted the guilty to escape. 2 Samuel 3:29 "May it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's house; and may there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who takes hold of a distaff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread." BGT 2 Samuel 3:29 καταντησάτωσαν ἐπὶ κεφαλὴν Ιωαβ καὶ ἐπὶ πάντα τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ μὴ ἐκλίποι ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου Ιωαβ γονορρυὴς καὶ λεπρὸς καὶ κρατῶν σκυτάλης καὶ πίπτων ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ ἐλασσούμενος ἄρτοις LXE 2 Samuel 3:29 Let it fall upon the head of Joab, and upon all the house of his father; and let there not be wanting of the house of Joab one that has an issue, or a leper, or that leans on a staff, or that falls by the sword, or that wants bread. KJV 2 Samuel 3:29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread. NET 2 Samuel 3:29 May his blood whirl over the head of Joab and the entire house of his father! May the males of Joab's house never cease to have someone with a running sore or a skin disease or one who works at the spindle or one who falls by the sword or one who lacks food!" CSB 2 Samuel 3:29 May it hang over Joab's head and his father's whole house, and may the house of Joab never be without someone who has a discharge or a skin disease, or a man who can only work a spindle, or someone who falls by the sword or starves." ESV 2 Samuel 3:29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!" NIV 2 Samuel 3:29 May his blood fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house! May Joab's house never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food." NLT 2 Samuel 3:29 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!" May it fall on the head: 2Sa 1:16 Jdg 9:24,56,57 1Ki 2:31-34 Ac 28:4 Rev 16:6 may there not fail from the house of Joab: 1Sa 2:32-36 2Ki 5:27 Ps 109:8-19 has a discharge: Lev 13:44-46 2Ki 5:1 DAVID'S CURSE BUT NO CORRECTION FOR JOAB May it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's house - Heb “and may they whirl over.” NET = "May his blood whirl over the head of Joab and the entire house of his father!" David shows his disgust with Joab's actions by uttering a strong curse on him and his family. Joab's action was particularly detestable (and perhaps even illegal) for Hebron was a city of refuge (Josh 21:13) where a blood avenger could not slay a prospective murderer without a fair trial (Nu 35:22-25). It is notable that David does not punish Joab for murdering Abner, most likely because Joab was an important element of his army. Is there a touch of compromise (or "situational ethics") here with David? Think about what David has just done to his commander in chief! Clearly the severity of David’s curse on Joab marks a rift between the two men at the very beginning of David’s reign. To be sure they held to the same political goals, the debacle of Abner's murder would only be the first of many where David and Joab butted heads on how to run the kingdom Life Application Study Bible (borrow) - David was saying that Joab's descendants would be unclean, unhealthy, and in want. Why did David say such harsh words about Joab? David was upset over Abner's death for several reasons. (1) He was grieved over the loss of a skilled military officer. (2) He wanted to place the guilt of Abner's murder on Joab, not himself. (3) He was on the verge of becoming king over the entire nation, and utilizing Abner was the key to winning over the northern tribes. Abner's death could have revived the civil war. (4) Joab violated David's agreement to protect Abner. Joab's murderous act ruined David's plans, and David was especially angry that his own commander had committed the crime. Walton - The curse pronounced by David is wide-ranging. The first category refers to the most serious and humiliating forms of physical disease (for more details on these see comments on Lev 13). The second is the most obscure. The word the NIV translates “crutch” has been now identified from Ugaritic and Akkadian as the word for “spindle” or “distaff.” The phrase used here was the common description of a woman in volved in menial tasks. A Hittite oath of a soldier, if broken, would result in the loss of manhood. The oath describes this penalty in terms of the violator holding the spindle and mirror. This second curse then threatens Joab’s house with decreased virility. The third curse speaks of violent death and the fourth of suffering want or famine.(see page 326 IVP Background Commentary-OT) And may there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who takes hold of a distaff (spindle), or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread - "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!"" BSB David's curse speaks of an offspring that "leans on a staff." To take hold of a "staff" seems to refer to a cripple, though some think it possibly indicates an effeminate male. NET Note on takes hold of a distaff (or spindle) - The expression used here is difficult. The translation “one who works at the spindle” follows a suggestion of S. R. Driver that the expression pejoratively describes an effeminate man who, rather than being a mighty warrior, is occupied with tasks that are normally fulfilled by women (S. R. Driver, Notes on the Hebrew Text and the Topography of the Books of Samuel, 250–51; cf. NAB “one unmanly”; TEV “fit only to do a woman’s work”; CEV “cowards”). But P. K. McCarter, following an alleged Phoenician usage of the noun to refer to “crutches,” adopts a different view. He translates the phrase “clings to a crutch,” seeing here a further description of physical lameness (II Samuel [AB], 118). Such an idea fits the present context well and is followed by NIV, NCV, and NLT, although the evidence for this meaning is questionable. According to DNWSI 2:915–16, the noun consistently refers to a spindle in Phoenician, as it does in Ugaritic (see UT 468). 2 Samuel 3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon. BGT 2 Samuel 3:30 Ιωαβ δὲ καὶ Αβεσσα ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ διεπαρετηροῦντο τὸν Αβεννηρ ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ἐθανάτωσεν τὸν Ασαηλ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτῶν ἐν Γαβαων ἐν τῷ πολέμῳ LXE 2 Samuel 3:30 For Joab and Abessa his brother laid wait continually for Abenner, because he slew Asael their brother at Gabaon in the battle. KJV 2 Samuel 3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. NET 2 Samuel 3:30 So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel in Gibeon during the battle. CSB 2 Samuel 3:30 Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon. ESV 2 Samuel 3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon. NIV 2 Samuel 3:30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.) NLT 2 Samuel 3:30 So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon. NRS 2 Samuel 3:30 So Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon. NJB 2 Samuel 3:30 (Joab and his brother Abishai had murdered Abner because he killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.) NAB 2 Samuel 3:30 (Joab and his brother Abishai had lain in wait for Abner because he killed their brother killed Abner: Pr 28:17 Ac 28:4 because: 2Sa 2:19-23 MOTIVE FOR ABNER'S MURDER So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner - Note here we learn that Abishai was also involved in the murder of Abner. because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon - Clearly this murder was to avenge the murder of their brother Asahel. 2 Samuel 3:31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner." And King David walked behind the bier. BGT 2 Samuel 3:31 καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Ιωαβ καὶ πρὸς πάντα τὸν λαὸν τὸν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ διαρρήξατε τὰ ἱμάτια ὑμῶν καὶ περιζώσασθε σάκκους καὶ κόπτεσθε ἔμπροσθεν Αβεννηρ καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυιδ ἐπορεύετο ὀπίσω τῆς κλίνης LXE 2 Samuel 3:31 And David said to Joab and to all the people with him, Rend your garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and lament before Abenner. And king David followed the bier. KJV 2 Samuel 3:31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. NET 2 Samuel 3:31 David instructed Joab and all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes! Put on sackcloth! Lament before Abner!" Now King David followed behind the funeral bier. CSB 2 Samuel 3:31 David then ordered Joab and all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn over Abner." And King David walked behind the funeral procession. ESV 2 Samuel 3:31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner." And King David followed the bier. NIV 2 Samuel 3:31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, "Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner." King David himself walked behind the bier. NLT 2 Samuel 3:31 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. Tear: 2Sa 1:2,11 Ge 37:29,34 Jos 7:6 Jdg 11:35 2Ki 19:1 bier: Heb. bed, Lu 7:14 DAVID COMMANDS JOAB TO MOURN FOR ABNER Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner." And King David walked behind the bier - It is surprising that Abner's funeral is the only funeral described in detail in the Old Testament. In addition to the curse David uttered on Joab's family, he was gives 3 commands calling for Joab to mourn publicly for Abner but one can hardly believe they were sincere mourners! While there might be some degree of public humiliation for Joab (and Abishai), this was relatively "soft" punishment by David. This in fact is evidence that David is human and willing to compromise for the "greater good!" Joab is the commander of his army and so one wonders if David holds back somewhat because of his important position? Note that David walked behind the bier and in so doing was leading the mourning procession. Life Application Study Bible (borrow) - David ordered Joab to mourn, possibly because few people were aware that Joab had committed the crime and because David did not want any further trouble. If this is true, David was thinking more about strengthening his kingdom than about justice. TSK Note - David, intending no doubt to punish Joab, and to lessen his authority with the people, commanded him to take upon him the office of chief mourner; but, as his revenge was gratified, his rival removed, and no heavier punishment inflicted, it is probable his hardened mind would feel but little objection to the ceremony. 2 Samuel 3:32 Thus they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept. BGT 2 Samuel 3:32 καὶ θάπτουσιν τὸν Αβεννηρ εἰς Χεβρων καὶ ἦρεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔκλαυσεν ἐπὶ τοῦ τάφου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔκλαυσεν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐπὶ Αβεννηρ LXE 2 Samuel 3:32 And they bury Abenner in Chebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at his tomb, and all the people wept for Abenner. KJV 2 Samuel 3:32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. NET 2 Samuel 3:32 So they buried Abner in Hebron. The king cried loudly over Abner's grave and all the people wept too. CSB 2 Samuel 3:32 When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner's tomb. All the people wept, ESV 2 Samuel 3:32 They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept. NIV 2 Samuel 3:32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner's tomb. All the people wept also. NLT 2 Samuel 3:32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king and all the people wept at his graveside. lifted: 2Sa 1:12 18:33 1Sa 30:4 Job 31:28 Pr 24:17 Lu 19:41,42 DAVID WEEPS FOR ABNER Thus they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept - Undoubtedly David genuinely wept (like he did in 2Sa 1:12) at the injustice committed against Abner. David, after all, was a man after God's own heart. There is no notation of Joab weeping (unless one might include him in all the people). SPECIAL TOPIC: BURIAL PRACTICES I. Mesopotamia A. Proper burial was very important to a happy afterlife, which was often viewed as an extension of this life (see SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD?). B. An example of a Mesopotamian curse is, "May the earth not receive your corpses." II. Old Testament A. Proper burial was very important (cf. Eccl. 6:3). B. It was done very quickly (cf. Sarah in Genesis 23 and Rachel in Gen. 35:19 and notice Deut. 21:23). C. Improper burial was a sign of rejection and sin. 1. Deuteronomy 28:26 2. Isaiah 14:20 3. Jeremiah 8:2; 22:19 D. Burial was done, if possible, in family vaults in the home area (i.e., "slept with his fathers"). E. There was no embalming, as in Egypt. Mankind came from dust and must return to dust (e.g., Gen. 3:19; Ps. 103:14; 104:29). Also note SPECIAL TOPIC: CREMATION F. In rabbinical Judaism it was difficult to balance a proper respect and handling of the body with the concept of ceremonial defilement connected to dead bodies. III. New Testament A. Burial quickly followed death, usually within twenty-four hours. The Jews often watched the grave for three days, believing that the soul could return to the body within that timeframe (cf. John 11:39). B. Burial involved cleaning and wrapping of the body with spices (cf. John 11:44; 19:39-40). C. There were no distinctive Jewish or Christian burial procedures (or items placed in the grave) in first century Palestine. SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES. The Israelites expressed sorrow for the death of a loved one and for personal repentance, as well as corporate crimes, in several ways: These were outward signs of inner feelings. tear outer robe, Gen. 37:29,34; 44:13; Jdgs. 11:35; 2 Sam. 1:11; 3:31; 1 Kgs. 21:27; Job 1:20 put on sackcloth, Gen. 37:34; 2 Sam. 3:31; 1 Kgs. 21:27; Jer. 48:37 take off shoes, 2 Sam. 15:30; Isa. 20:3 put hands on head, 2 Sam. 13:19; Jer. 2:37 put dust on head, Jos. 7:6; 1 Sam. 4:12; Neh. 9:1 sit on the ground, Lam. 2:10; Ezek. 26:16 (lie on the ground, 2 Sam. 12:16); Isa. 47:1 beat the breast, 1 Sam. 25:1; 2 Sam. 11:26; Nah. 2:7 mourn, 1 Sam. 25:1; 2 Sam. 11:26 cut the body, Deut. 14:1; Jer. 16:6; 48:37 fast, 2 Sam. 1:12; 12:16,21; 1 Kgs. 21:27; 1 Chr. 10:12; Neh. 1:4 chant a lament, 2 Sam. 1:17; 3:31; 2 Chr. 35:25 baldness (hair pulled out or shaved), Jer. 48:37 cut beards short, Jer. 48:37 cover head or face, 2 Sam. 15:30; 19:4 2 Samuel 3:33 The king chanted a lament for Abner and said, "Should Abner die as a fool dies? BGT 2 Samuel 3:33 καὶ ἐθρήνησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ Αβεννηρ καὶ εἶπεν εἰ κατὰ τὸν θάνατον Ναβαλ ἀποθανεῖται Αβεννηρ LXE 2 Samuel 3:33 And the king mourned over Abenner, and said, Shall Abenner die according to the death of Nabal? KJV 2 Samuel 3:33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? NET 2 Samuel 3:33 The king chanted the following lament for Abner: "Should Abner have died like a fool? CSB 2 Samuel 3:33 and the king sang a lament for Abner: Should Abner die as a fool dies? ESV 2 Samuel 3:33 And the king lamented for Abner, saying, "Should Abner die as a fool dies? NIV 2 Samuel 3:33 The king sang this lament for Abner: "Should Abner have died as the lawless die? NLT 2 Samuel 3:33 Then the king sang this funeral song for Abner: "Should Abner have died as fools die? Should Abner die: 2Sa 13:12,13,28,29 Pr 18:7 Ec 2:15,16 Jer 17:11 Lu 12:19,20 DAVID'S LAMENT The king chanted a lament for Abner and said, "Should Abner die as a fool dies - NIV = "Should Abner have died as the lawless die?" The meaning is only because of treachery could such an ignoble death, befitting a fool, be the fate of so great a warrior. J. Vernon McGee offers another thought on why David says as a fool dies - “Abner was in Hebron, and Hebron was one of the cities of refuge where a murderer was safe. In that city Joab could not have touched him, but Joab quietly took Abner aside and said to him, “Come out here, I want to talk with you. You are the captain on one side, and I am the captain on the other side. It would be nice if we could get together.” So Abner stepped outside the city of refuge, and Joab killed him. That is why David said Abner died as a fool dies. He was a fool to leave Hebron.” TSK Note - That is, as a bad man, as the word frequently signifies in Scripture. 2 Samuel 3:34 "Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put in fetters; As one falls before the wicked, you have fallen." And all the people wept again over him. BGT 2 Samuel 3:34 αἱ χεῖρές σου οὐκ ἐδέθησαν οἱ πόδες σου οὐκ ἐν πέδαις οὐ προσήγαγεν ὡς Ναβαλ ἐνώπιον υἱῶν ἀδικίας ἔπεσας καὶ συνήχθη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τοῦ κλαῦσαι αὐτόν LXE 2 Samuel 3:34 Thy hands were not bound, and thy feet were not put in fetters: one brought thee not near as Nabal; thou didst fall before children of iniquity. KJV 2 Samuel 3:34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. NET 2 Samuel 3:34 Your hands were not bound, and your feet were not put into irons. You fell the way one falls before criminals." All the people wept over him again. CSB 2 Samuel 3:34 Your hands were not bound, your feet not placed in bronze shackles. You fell like one who falls victim to criminals.And all the people wept over him even more. ESV 2 Samuel 3:34 Your hands were not bound; your feet were not fettered; as one falls before the wicked you have fallen." And all the people wept again over him. NIV 2 Samuel 3:34 Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before wicked men." And all the people wept over him again. NLT 2 Samuel 3:34 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. hands: Jdg 16:21 Ps 107:10,11 wicked: Heb. children of iniquity, Job 24:14 Ho 6:9 wept: 2Sa 1:12 DAVID'S LAMENT FOR ABNER CONTINUES Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put in fetters; As one falls before the wicked, you have fallen." And all the people wept again over him - David laments that Abner was fooled out of his life, killed by surprise and treachery.

2 Samuel 3

Spurgeon - David had not, however, the manly courage to summon Joab to the bar as a murderer. David was afraid of him; the man had all the army at his back; and instead of being, as in his youthful days, fearless of man, David became for a while a time-server, and permitted the guilty to escape.....We may be anointed, and yet weak. Every believer is an anointed king..... But in our souls, our anointing time comes in that hour when, being called by grace and washed from sin, we begin to reign over sin, self, the world, death and hell, by virtue of our union with Christ.....The Christian is then to-day, in many more senses than I can now stay to enumerate, an anointed king; and yet it is quite possible that he may be groaning out, “I am weak;” for weakness and Divine Anointing may stand together. You may be the object of God’s grandest purposes; and yet in yourself, you may be the meanest (Wanting dignity; low in rank) of men. God may yet intend to accomplish by you the greatest marvels, and it may be needful that, as a prelude to these wonders, you who are God’s anointed should be compelled to feel very deeply your utter weakness.....You are never more mistaken than when you think yourselves strong. You are never nearer the truth than when you have the very lowest views of your self. When you are stripped, and emptied, and poured from vessel to vessel, it is then that you are where you ought to be; when you can say “I can do nothing apart from Him,” and yet can feel that you can do everything with him: then you are on the point of safety, you are on the eve of triumph and honour. God is with you, and will greatly bless you so long as you know where your great strength lieth. (Read full sermon Man's Weakness and God's Anointing). MacArthur on weak...difficult - David had not yet solidified his power enough to exact his own judgment without jeopardizing his command. He was still “weak” and needed time to consolidate his authority. Once that was accomplished, he no longer needed to fear the strength of Joab and Abishai, who were Zeruiah’s sons (2Sa 2:18). May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil - While he does not state their name, clearly David is praying an "imprecatory" prayer against Joab and Abishai. This must have been especially difficult for him as (1) they were close relatives and (2) Abishai was the one who had been brave enough to go with him to retrieve Saul's spear. Anderson - David has fasted in honor of Abner and is satisfied to leave the judgment of Joab to God. However, if David had punished Joab, a lot of murders could have been avoided in the future.

2 Samuel 3

Spurgeon - 2 Samuel 3:39 - David had been an adventurer in the cave, so long that he had grown used to it, and you never find him saying when he hid himself in Engedi, “I am this day weak.” No; after the first season of bitterness I believe he came to love Adullam’s dreary shelter; and the bleak mountains were dear to him. Now he has come into a new place, nations are at his feet, men bow before him. It is a new position, and he says “I am this day weak, though anointed king.” Whenever you make a change in life; whenever God calls you to another set of duties, you will surely find out what perhaps you do not now believe—that you are weak, though anointed king. Here, too, David had come into new temptations. The arrows had been shot at him before, from one direction alone, now the storm ceases on one side, and begins on the other. If men knew that the storm would always come to one side of the house they would repair and strengthen it, and then they would not fear the blast; but if suddenly it whirled round and took the other corner, how would they be prepared for that? Take care, Christian men and women, how you change your position; for often it is a change for the worse. The arrows may not fly on the right, but they will meet you on the left, and perhaps that may be your weakest side, and there you will be smitten in the tenderest part. David had now no more the temptations which beset a venturer, but those which cluster thick around the throne; for where there is the honey of royalty, there will surely be the wasps of temptations. High places and God’s praise do seldom agree; a full cup is not easily carried without spilling, and he that stands on a pinnacle needs a clear head and much grace. Weak (tender refined, weak, inexperienced)(07390) rak is an adjective meaning gentle, tender, weak, indecisive. "This adjective is used in the sense of the tenderness or softness of few years (Gen. 18:7), of soft words (Job 40:27), and in the sense of weakness (Gen. 29:17). Rak - 15x/15v - frail(1), gentle(1), inexperienced(2), refined(2), soft(2), tender(3), tender one(1), timid*(1), weak(2). Gen. 18:7; Gen. 29:17; Gen. 33:13; Deut. 28:54; Deut. 28:56; 2 Sam. 3:39; 1 Chr. 22:5; 1 Chr. 29:1; 2 Chr. 13:7; Job 41:3; Prov. 4:3; Prov. 15:1; Prov. 25:15; Isa. 47:1; Ezek. 17:22 John Butler - Sermon Starters - JUDGMENT FOR EVIL 2 Samuel 3:39 “I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me; the LORD will reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness” (2 Samuel 3:39). The comments of this text were made by King David after Abner was murdered by Joab, the son of Zeruiah. Zeruiah was David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:16), She had three sons, they were Asahel (who was killed by Abner in battle—2 Samuel 2:23), Abishai (who encouraged David to assassinate Saul—1 Samuel 26:8), and Joab, a cruel man, who was David’s army captain (1 Chronicles 11:6). FIRST—THE CAPITULATION IN JUDGMENT “I am this day weak though anointed king.” David had his hands tied by family relationship and could not (better, would not) punish Joab for murdering Abner. Family connections played politics in David’s case and though he was king, he was not able to bring justice for the murder of Abner. David let his family relationship override his responsibility. It was a shameful deed, but is often done by most of us. SECOND—THE CULPRITS FOR JUDGMENT “These men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me.” David lamented the fact that his nephews were too cruel of heart for his liking. They were men of war and knew no mercy. Murder and assassination meant nothing to them. Men can become so hardened to evil that they are not bothered by it. This explains much of abortion. THIRD—THE CERTAINTY OF JUDGMENT “The LORD will reward the doer of evil.” The word “reward” is not perceived today in a negative sense as it is used here. Here it refers, in an ironic way, to God’s judgment. God will bring upon the guilty the due punishment (“reward”) for their evil doing. Men may be unwilling to bring judgment upon men for their evil, but God is not unwilling, and He will judge. It seems sometimes that wicked men get away with their evil. But no one succeeds in getting away with evil. God will sooner or later catch up with them and strike them down in holy judgment upon their evil ways. The wicked men may be able to beat the courts of men, but they will never beat the courts of God. Evil will be punished, you can count on that. It is absolutely certain. FOURTH—HIS CHARACTER OF JUDGMENT “According to his wickedness.” God’s judgment is just. He judges according to the facts. He is not like many of the courts of our land and their judgments. He will not suppress evidence or enter into plea bargaining. God judges evil men “according to his wickedness.” A good example of God’s equity in judgement is in the case of Sodom. The cry of Sodom’s sin was very great so God sent some special agents to investigate Sodom to see “whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it” (Genesis 18:21). The devastating judgment of Sodom was not done without investigation into the facts. God’s judgment may be severe but it is always just.