2 Samuel 3:29

“Let it rest on the head of Joab, etc.] That is, the blood of Abner, who was the shedder of it; let the guilt of it be charged to him, and let punishment for it be inflicted on him: and on all his father’s house; on Abishai his brother, and other relations that might be privy to the death of Abner, and advising to it, and ready to assist in it if necessary: and let there not fail from the house of Joab; let there be always in his family, and of his seed, one or other of the persons described as follows: one that hath an issue; a gonorrhoea, which was reckoned infamous, and very impure, according to the Jewish law, and rendered persons unfit for society; (see <031501>Leviticus 15:1-33); or…”

“The curse of David proves that Joab was not justified as blood-revenger or Goel 2 Samuel 3:27 in taking away Abner’s life. That leaneth on a staff - Rather, a crutch. The phrase denotes one lame or infirm. For similar instances of hereditary disease and poverty as a punishment of great sin, see 1 Samuel 2:31-33, 1Sa 2:36; 2 Kings 5:27; John 9:2. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Let it, &c. - But would not a resolute punishment of the murderer himself have become David better, than this passionate imprecation on his posterity? 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:30”

“3:29 leprosy: While leprosy is a possible translation, the Hebrew here probably refers to a broader range of skin inflammations, not only Hansen’s disease. • who walks on crutches: This curse effectively alienated Joab from David, and from this point on they had only a professional relationship. David’s deathbed order to Solomon to get rid of Joab (1 Kgs 2:5-6) and Solomon’s exoneration of David in Abner’s death (1 Kgs 2:31-33) indicate that David’s mourning over Abner was genuine.”

“rest: Sa2 1:16; Jdg 9:24, Jdg 9:56, Jdg 9:57; Kg1 2:31-34; Act 28:4; Rev 16:6 let there: Sa1 2:32-36; Kg2 5:27; Psa 109:8-19 fail: Heb. be cut off an issue: Lev 13:44-46; Kg2 5:1 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:30”