2 Samuel 3:39

“And I [am] this day weak, though anointed king, etc.] Which seems to be given as a reason, or for an excuse why he did not inflict just punishment upon the murderer, according to the law of God, because he was “weak”; not in body or mind, but with respect to the kingdom, that was like a tender branch, or in its infant state; and great care and caution were to be used that it was not overturned: he was a king by unction, not by birth; a son of the late king was yet up against him, and was possessed of the far greater part of the kingdom; he was indeed anointed by Samuel to be king over all Israel; but as yet he was not put into the possession of the kingdom he was anointed to; he was anointed…”

“Weak - In the infancy of my kingdom, not well settled in it. The metaphor is taken from a young and tender child or plant. These men - Joab and Abishai, the sons of thy sister Zeruiah. Too hard - That is, too powerful. They have so great a command over all the soldiers, and so great favour with the people, that I cannot punish them without apparent hazard to my person and kingdom; especially, now when all the tribes, except Judah, are in a state of opposition against me. But although this might give some colour to the delay of their punishment, yet it was a fault that he did not do it within some reasonable time, both because this indulgence proceeded from a distrust of God's power and…”

“3:39 too strong for me to control: Just as Ishbosheth could not control Abner, David could not control Joab. However, David had faith that the Lord would repay Joab for murdering Abner.”

“I am: Exo 21:12; Ch2 19:6, Ch2 19:7; Psa 75:10, Psa 101:8; Pro 20:8, Pro 25:5 weak: Heb. tender, Ch1 22:5; Isa 7:4 \*marg. Rom 13:4 the sons: Ch1 2:15, Ch1 2:16 too hard: Sa2 19:6, Sa2 19:7, Sa2 19:13 the Lord: Kg1 2:5, Kg1 2:6, Kg1 2:33, Kg1 2:34; Psa 7:16, Psa 28:4, Psa 62:12; Ti2 4:14 Next: 2 Kings (2 Samuel) Chapter 4”