This verse from 2 Samuel 3:27 describes a treacherous act of revenge by Joab against Abner. Let's break it down:
"When Abner was returned to Hebron...": Abner, a powerful general who had previously supported Ishbosheth (Saul's son) against David, had recently switched allegiance and was working to bring all of Israel under David's rule. He was returning to Hebron, David's capital at the time, presumably after a meeting with David to solidify their alliance.
"Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly...": Joab, David's general, seems to welcome Abner. The city gate was a public space, often used for important discussions and transactions. Taking Abner aside "to speak with him quietly" implies a private and perhaps confidential conversation. This creates a false sense of trust and security for Abner.
"...and struck him there in the body, so that he died...": This is the act of murder. Joab, under the guise of a private conversation, unexpectedly attacks and kills Abner. The bluntness of the phrase "struck him there in the body" underscores the sudden and brutal nature of the assault.
"...for the blood of Asahel his brother.": This reveals Joab's motive. Asahel was Joab's brother, who had been killed by Abner in an earlier battle (2 Samuel 2:18-23). While Abner had warned Asahel to stop chasing him and ultimately killed him in self-defense, Joab saw it as a personal act of vengeance.
In essence, this verse describes a calculated and deceitful assassination. Joab, motivated by revenge for his brother's death, used a pretense of private conversation to lure Abner into a vulnerable position and then murdered him. This act had significant political consequences, as it undermined David's efforts to unify Israel and created a stain of violence on David's reign. David himself was horrified by Joab's actions and publicly condemned them (2 Samuel 3:28-39). Joab's actions, although personally driven, were a calculated political move that demonstrated his power and influence within David's court.
This verse from 2 Samuel 3:27 describes a treacherous act of revenge by Joab against Abner. Let's break it down:
"When Abner was returned to Hebron...": Abner, a powerful general who had previously supported Ishbosheth (Saul's son) against David, had recently switched allegiance and was working to bring all of Israel under David's rule. He was returning to Hebron, David's capital at the time, presumably after a meeting with David to solidify their alliance.
"Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly...": Joab, David's general, seems to welcome Abner. The city gate was a public space, often used for important discussions and transactions. Taking Abner aside "to speak with him quietly" implies a private and perhaps confidential conversation. This creates a false sense of trust and security for Abner.
"...and struck him there in the body, so that he died...": This is the act of murder. Joab, under the guise of a private conversation, unexpectedly attacks and kills Abner. The bluntness of the phrase "struck him there in the body" underscores the sudden and brutal nature of the assault.
"...for the blood of Asahel his brother.": This reveals Joab's motive. Asahel was Joab's brother, who had been killed by Abner in an earlier battle (2 Samuel 2:18-23). While Abner had warned Asahel to stop chasing him and ultimately killed him in self-defense, Joab saw it as a personal act of vengeance.
In essence, this verse describes a calculated and deceitful assassination. Joab, motivated by revenge for his brother's death, used a pretense of private conversation to lure Abner into a vulnerable position and then murdered him. This act had significant political consequences, as it undermined David's efforts to unify Israel and created a stain of violence on David's reign. David himself was horrified by Joab's actions and publicly condemned them (2 Samuel 3:28-39). Joab's actions, although personally driven, were a calculated political move that demonstrated his power and influence within David's court.