2 Samuel 3:34

“Thy hands [were] not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters, etc.] As malefactors are when they are taken up for any crime, and especially when proved upon them, and condemned for it, and brought forth to be executed. This was not his case, and had he been aware of the design against him, as his hands and feet were at liberty, he might have defended himself; or if he found he had too many to deal with, might have made use of his feet and fled: as a man falleth before wicked men, [so] fellest thou; as a man being before bloodthirsty and deceitful men, falls before them, through treachery and deceit, privately and unawares, so fell Abner before Joab and Abishai; this David said in the presence…”

“Thy hands were not bound ... - This thought prepares the way for the solution; Abner had been treacherously murdered by wicked men. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Not bound - Thou didst not tamely yield up thyself to Joab, to be bound hand and foot at his pleasure. Joab did not overcome thee in an equal combat, nor durst he attempt thee in that way, as a general or soldier of any worth would have done. Wicked men - By the hands of froward, or perverse, or crooked men, by hypocrisy and perfidiousness, whereby the vilest coward may kill the most valiant person. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:36”

“3:34 a wicked plot: Normal warfare could not defeat Abner, a seasoned warrior. Only treachery could.”

“hands: The hand of malefactors were usually secured with cords, and their feet with fetters; a custom to which David affectingly alludes in his lamentation over the dust of Abner. Thy hands, O Abner, were not bound, as found to be a malefactor, nor thy feet put in fetters; thou was treated with honour by him whose business it was to judge thee, and thy attachment to the house of Saul was esteemed rather generous than culpable. as the best of men may fall, so thou fellest by the sword of treachery, not of justice. Jdg 16:21; Psa 107:10, Psa 107:11 wicked men: Heb. children of iniquity, Job 24:14; Hos 6:9 wept: Sa2 1:12 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:35”