2 Samuel 3:22-30

Why does Joab kill a man David has sent away in peace?

Berean Standard Bible

22 Just then David’s soldiers and Joab returned from a raid, bringing with them a great plunder. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, because David had sent him on his way in peace. 23 When Joab and all his troops arrived, he was informed, “Abner son of Ner came to see the king, who sent him on his way in peace.” 24 So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you dismiss him? Now he is getting away! 25 Surely you realize that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to track your movements and all that you are doing.” 26 As soon as Joab had left David, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David was unaware of it. 27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
28 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. 29 May it whirl over the head of Joab and over the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.” 30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

What is the context?

Joab returns from a raid after Abner has left. Learning that David welcomed and released him, Joab accuses Abner of coming as a spy. That is Joab’s accusation; the narrator does not confirm it.

Without David’s knowledge, Joab sends messengers to bring Abner back. He takes him aside into the gateway as though for a private conversation, then stabs him. The account names revenge for Asahel’s death as the reason, and it includes Joab’s brother Abishai in responsibility for the murder.

David declares himself and his kingdom innocent of Abner’s blood. He calls down suffering on Joab’s family. His words show how strongly he rejects the killing, but this passage does not report him bringing Joab to trial or removing him from command.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Henry, Wesley and Gill distinguish this planned killing from Asahel’s death in battle. Abner had warned Asahel to stop pursuing him. Joab now recalls a man who has left under David’s promise of peace and kills him through deception.

Wesley criticizes David’s curse against Joab’s descendants, seeing anger directed toward a family instead of punishment directed toward the murderer. Gill likewise allows that the curse comes from David’s anger rather than a prophetic announcement. Reporting the curse does not require treating every suffering David names as a prediction that God will fulfill.

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