22 And behold , the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron , for he had sent him away , and he had gone in peace . 23 When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived , they told Joab , saying , "Abner the son of Ner came to the king , and he has sent him away , and he has gone in peace ." 24 Then Joab came to the king and said , "What have you done ? Behold , Abner came to you; why then have you sent him away and he is already gone ? 25 "You know Abner the son of Ner , that he came to deceive you and to learn of your going out and coming in and to find out all that you are doing ." 26 When Joab came out from David , he sent messengers after Abner , and they brought him back from the well of Sirah ; but David did not know it. 27 So when Abner returned to Hebron , Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him privately , and there he struck him in the belly so that he died on account of the blood of Asahel his brother .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 3:22-27
Commentary on 2 Samuel 3:22-39
(Read 2 Samuel 3:22-39)
Judgments are prepared for such scorners as Abner; but Joab, in what he did, acted wickedly. David laid Abner's murder deeply to heart, and in many ways expressed his detestation of it. The guilt of blood brings a curse upon families: if men do not avenge it, God will. It is a sad thing to die like a fool, as they do that any way shorten their own days, and those who make no provision for another world. Who would be fond of power, when a man may have the name of it, and must be accountable for it, yet is hampered in the use of it? David ought to have done his duty, and then trusted God with the issue. Carnal policy spared Joab. The Son of David may long delay, but never fails to punish impenitent sinners. He who now reigns upon the throne of David, has a kingdom of a nobler kind. Whatever He doeth, is noticed by all his willing people, and is pleasing to them.