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 . 28 Afterward when David heard it, he said , "I and my kingdom are innocent before e the Lord forever e of the blood of Abner the son of Ner . 29 " May it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's house ; and may there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge , or who is a leper , or who takes hold of a distaff , or who falls by the sword , or who lacks bread ." 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because e he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon . 31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, " Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner ." And King David walked behind the bier . 32 Thus they buried Abner in Hebron ; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner , and all the people wept . 33 The king chanted a lament for Abner and said , "Should Abner die as a fool dies ? 34 "Your hands were not bound , nor your feet put in fetters ; As one falls before the wicked e , you have fallen ." And all the people wept again over him. 35 Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was still day ; but David vowed , saying , " May God do so to me, and more also , if e I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 3:25-35
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.