3:1 Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the
house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and
the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
(a) That is, without intermission enduring two years, which
was the whole reign of Ishbosheth.
3:3 And his second, b Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal
the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the
daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
3:5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were
born to David in c Hebron.
(c) Within seven years and six months.
3:8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and
said, [Am] I a d dog's head, which against Judah do shew
kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his
brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee
into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a
fault concerning this woman?
(d) Do you esteem me no more than a dog, for all my service
done to your father's house?
3:9e So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD
hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
(e) We see how the wicked cannot abide being admonished
about their faults, but seek their displeasure, who go
about to bring them from their wickedness.
3:17 And Abner had f communication with the elders of Israel,
saying, Ye sought for David in times past [to be] king over
you:
(f) Rather for malice that he bore toward Ishbosheth, than
for love he bore to David.
3:19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner
went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that
seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole
g house of Benjamin.
(g) Who challenged the kingdom, because of their father
Saul.
3:22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came h from
[pursuing] a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them:
but Abner [was] not with David in Hebron; for he had sent
him away, and he was gone in peace.
(h) From war against the Philistines.
3:24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, i What hast thou
done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why [is] it [that]
thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
(i) Here appears the malicious mind of Joab, who would have
had the king slay Abner for his private grudge.
3:28 And afterward when David heard [it], he said, I and my
kingdom [are] k guiltless before the LORD for ever from
the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
(k) the Lord knows that I did not consent to his death.
3:30 So Joab and l Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he
had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
(l) Abishai is said to slay him with Joab, because he
consented to the murder.
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 m before Abner. And king David [himself]
followed the bier.
(m) Meaning before the corpse.
3:33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner n
as a fool dieth?
(n) He declares that Abner died not as a wretch or vile
person, but as a valiant man might do, being
traitorously deceived by the wicked.
3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat o meat
while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me,
and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the
sun be down.
(o) According to their custom, which was to feast at
burials.
3:36 And all the people took notice [of it], and it p pleased
them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
(p) It is expedient sometimes not only to conceive inward
sorrow, but also that it may appear to others, so that
they may be satisfied.
