38 Then the king said to his men, "Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen in Israel this day?
38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
38 And the king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?
38 The king spoke to his servants: "You realize, don't you, that today a prince and hero fell victim of foul play in Israel?
38 Then the king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?
38 Then King David said to his officials, "Don't you realize that a great commander has fallen today in Israel?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 3:38
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.