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2 Samuel 3:28

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 3:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Jehovah for ever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Jehovah for ever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
2 Samuel 3:28 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
26And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28And afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Jehovah for ever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29let it fall upon the head of Joab, and upon 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 by the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31And 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 followed the bier.
← 2 Samuel 3:272 Samuel 3:29 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And afterward, when David heard [it], etc.] That Joab had sent to fetch Abner back, and that he had stabbed him in the gate of the city, and he was dead; it was some time after it was done that the news of it was brought to David; this circumstance is observed, the more to clear the king from any concern in this affair: he said; in a public manner, in open court, before all his princes; he called God to witness, and, as Josephus f61 says, stretching out his right hand to God, he cried aloud: I and my kingdom [are] guiltless before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner; he was sensible it would be known that Abner had been with him, and that Joab his general had killed him;…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:28 David made it clear that he had nothing to do with Abner’s death, labeling it as a crime. David knew that because his second-in-command had killed Abner, rumors would circulate among those loyal to Saul’s dynasty that David had ordered the killing. • I vow by the Lord: David called on the Lord to hold him accountable if he were lying.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“guiltless: Gen 9:6; Exo 21:12; Num 35:33; Deu 21:1-9; Mat 27:24 blood: Heb. bloods, Gen 4:10 \*marg. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:29”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification