David’s Curse

“And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came 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. When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? Thou 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. And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on 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 on the sword, or that lacketh bread. So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle” (2 Samuel 3:22-30).

Introduction

What is remarkable about David’s curse is that it is levelled against his nephew, Joab. Joab hated Abner with a passion, but deep down he was a faithful servant of his uncle, and was concerned about David’s apparent lack of wisdom in entertaining Abner.

Rebuke

While Joab was out obeying David’s commands, his uncle was honouring wicked Abner with a feast. We can imagine how happy he must have felt when he presented the “great spoil” before David, only to see that happiness dashed on learning what had taken place in his absence. Joab was probably grieved and furious with David in three ways: 1. David had honoured a wicked man; 2. David had allowed the person who killed Asahel his brother, David’s nephew, to go free; 3. David was unconcerned about offending his own faithful men.

Joab’s anger might not be fully justified, since there is an element of self-pity, but he was wise enough to see that David had acted without understanding in this matter. As far as he was concerned Abner’s freedom meant that there would be more trouble for David in the future. He believed, though incorrectly, that Abner’s sole aim was to deceive David and destroy the kingdom, that is, he was a spy for Israel. Since Abner was a general too, it is likely that Joab saw him as competition. “If Abner was reconciled to David, his [Joab’s] own post as second in state would be forfeited” (F. C. Cook). So Joab had a lot to lose if his enemy became a part of David’s government.

Retribution

No explanation from David would have caused Joab to change his mind, for he was intent on punishing Abner. Abner must have thought that he was being recalled by David when Joab’s messengers caught up with him. Hebron, the city of refuge (Joshua 20:7) was chosen as the location where Abner was to be assassinated, so the place of mercy was used as a place of murder. “Determined, therefore, to get Abner out of the way, Joab feigned some reason, probably in the king's name, for recalling him, and, going out to meet him, stabbed him unawares” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Bible Commentary).

Joab had accused David for not thinking straight, but now he was doing exactly the same thing, for this deceitful and murderous act could undermine the unity of Judah and Israel. He made as though he wanted a friendly chat with Abner, but instead plunged a dagger into him. He no doubt justified himself for this, but in fact it was a spiteful and cowardly crime, for Abner was unable to defend himself. It is true that Abner had killed Asahel, but it was in self-defence (2 Samuel 2:23), for as our text indicates, Abner slew Asahel in battle. “In battle - Which he did for his own necessary defence; and therefore it was no justification of this treacherous murder” (John Wesley).

Repulsion

On hearing what Joab had done, David was filled with repulsion and condemned him for his wicked deed. “He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords” (Psalm 55:20-21).

David also pronounced a curse on Joab’s family. It retrospect Joab ought to have been put to death for the crime he committed, but probably David thought that to do so would have alienated his army and the people. ”Would not a resolute punishment of the murderer himself have become David better, than this passionate imprecation on his posterity?” (John Wesley) … “David ought to have done his duty, and then trusted God with the issue. Carnal policy spared Joab” (Matthew Henry). He wanted it known that he had nothing to do with what Joab had done, so his words may have been aimed at Israel rather than Judah.

Conclusion

David did not act wisely with regards to Abner, but neither did he with Joab’s crime. Joab would be a thorn in David’s side for the rest of his life. The eventual fallout of these events would come under the reign of Rehoboam when Israel and Judah would be divided again. Because Abner was murdered within a few hours of the peace treaty, we have no way of knowing what might have happened if he had lived.

God’s will was for the reunification of Israel and Judah, but it is highly likely that David was not acting in accord with His will, so with a great deal of hindsight we can say that he too was the cause of Abner’s death. On his deathbed David would say, “Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet” (1 Kings 2:5). There are always consequences for not walking in the revealed will of God.