2 Samuel 3:30

So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

So Joab {H3097} and Abishai {H52} his brother {H251} slew {H2026} Abner {H74}, because he had slain {H4191} their brother {H251} Asahel {H6214} at Gibeon {H1391} in the battle {H4421}.

Thus Yo'av and Avishai his brother killed Avner, because he had killed their brother 'Asah'el during the battle in Giv'on.

(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

Commentary

Context

This verse details a pivotal and tragic event in the ongoing civil war between the house of Saul, led by Abner, and the house of David. Abner, formerly the chief commander for Saul's son Ish-bosheth, had recently fallen out with Ish-bosheth and pledged to bring all of Israel under King David's rule. David had welcomed Abner and made a covenant with him, recognizing the strategic importance of his defection.

However, David's commander, Joab, was not present for these negotiations. Upon his return, Joab was enraged and suspicious of Abner, seeing him as a political threat and, more significantly, as the killer of his younger brother, Asahel. The death of Asahel occurred during a previous battle at Gibeon, where Abner had killed Asahel in self-defense after Asahel relentlessly pursued him despite warnings (2 Samuel 2:23). This verse marks Joab and Abishai's act of blood revenge, a custom prevalent in ancient societies.

Key Themes

  • Vengeance and Blood Feud: The primary motive for Joab and Abishai was to avenge the death of their brother, Asahel. In ancient Israelite society, the "avenger of blood" (Hebrew: go'el haddam) had the right and even obligation to kill someone who had slain a kinsman. While the Mosaic Law provided cities of refuge for accidental killings to prevent such feuds, Joab's act here appears to be a deliberate, cold-blooded retribution, possibly mixed with political calculation.
  • Joab's Complex Character: Joab is consistently portrayed as fiercely loyal to King David, yet also ruthless, cunning, and often acting independently. His assassination of Abner reflects both a deep personal grievance and a strategic move to eliminate a powerful rival who could potentially usurp his own position as David's chief military commander. This event foreshadows other instances of Joab's decisive, often brutal, actions, such as his role in the death of Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:17) and Absalom's demise.
  • The Destructive Cycle of Violence: This tragic episode highlights the brutal realities and lasting scars of civil war. Even as peace was being negotiated, the deep-seated grievances and thirst for revenge perpetuated the bloodshed, complicating David's efforts to unite the kingdom and bringing further sorrow to the land.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "slew" is Χ”ΦΈΧ¨Φ·Χ’ (harag), which means "to kill" or "to slay." It is a general term for taking a life, but in this context, it emphasizes the deliberate and intentional nature of Joab and Abishai's act, distinguishing it from an accidental killing.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of personal vengeance. While the concept of justice is central to biblical teaching, it is distinctly different from private retribution. The Bible consistently calls believers to leave vengeance to God, who alone has perfect knowledge and righteous judgment. Instead of seeking personal payback, believers are encouraged to pursue peace, even with those who have wronged them, reflecting the character of Christ (Matthew 5:44). Joab's actions, though understandable within the cultural norms of his time, ultimately led to further complications and sorrow for David and the nation, illustrating the spiritual danger of allowing bitterness and a desire for personal payback to dictate one's actions.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 2:19 (3 votes)

    And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.

  • 2 Samuel 2:23 (3 votes)

    Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth [rib], that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, [that] as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.

  • Proverbs 28:17 (3 votes)

    ΒΆ A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

  • Acts 28:4 (3 votes)

    And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.