Question 1

Why did Joab rebuke David for letting Abner go in peace?

Accepted Answer

Joab was angry when he heard that Abner had visited David and been sent away in peace. He comes to the king and bluntly asks, “What hast thou done?” Joab claims Abner only came to deceive David and spy out his movements. But behind his words is jealousy and personal anger. Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel in battle, and Joab likely feared Abner’s growing influence if he joined David. So his rebuke mixes real suspicion with wounded pride and a desire for revenge.

Question 2

Why did Joab secretly call Abner back and kill him at Hebron?

Accepted Answer

After leaving David, Joab sends messengers to bring Abner back, without David knowing. He meets Abner at the gate of Hebron, takes him aside as if to speak quietly, and then stabs him so that he dies. The passage says Joab did this “for the blood of Asahel his brother.” So he used a show of peace to carry out personal revenge. Instead of trusting God or David’s judgment, Joab chose a hidden, treacherous killing rather than open justice or battle.

Question 3

How is Joab’s killing of Abner different from Abner killing Asahel in battle?

Accepted Answer

Abner killed Asahel earlier in a clear battle setting, after warning him to turn aside. That was part of open warfare between two sides. Joab, however, kills Abner in a city of refuge, in a peaceful setting, after Abner had been sent away in peace by the king. He calls him aside as if to talk, then strikes him “under the fifth rib” at the gate. The story shows this as murder, not warfare, because it is secret, personal revenge that breaks the peace David is trying to build.

Question 4

Why does David say he and his kingdom are guiltless of Abner’s blood?

Accepted Answer

When David hears about Abner’s murder, he immediately declares, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner.” He wants everyone to know he did not plan or approve this killing. Abner had just made peace with David, and David had sent him away safely. By speaking before God and the people, David protects his own integrity and the honor of his rule, making clear that this act of revenge belongs to Joab, not to the king or his government.

Question 5

What is the meaning of David’s curse on Joab and his family?

Accepted Answer

David asks that the guilt of Abner’s blood “rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house,” then names painful conditions like disease, lameness, death by the sword, and poverty. This strong language shows how serious he sees Joab’s treachery. Shedding innocent blood brings lasting trouble. David cannot remove Joab at once, but he can call on God to judge the wrong and make clear publicly that this sin will not be covered up or treated as normal in his kingdom.

Question 6

What does this passage show about leadership and responsibility?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that a leader is responsible not only for his own actions, but also for how he responds when others under him do evil. David did not order Abner’s death, but he does not stay silent. He speaks before the Lord, declares his innocence, condemns Joab’s act, and calls for judgment on that shed blood. In doing this, he protects the moral character of his rule. It shows that real leadership does not excuse hidden violence or personal revenge, even when done by powerful allies.

Question 7

What does this story teach about revenge and personal justice?

Accepted Answer

Joab’s act is a picture of what happens when revenge rules the heart. Instead of bringing his hurt and anger to God or seeking fair judgment, Joab takes matters into his own hands. He uses deceit, pretends peace, and kills Abner in cold blood. The result is not healing, but guilt and a curse spoken over his house. This warns us that personal revenge, even when we feel deeply wronged, leads to more sin and pain. God sees and will judge, so we are not free to repay evil with evil.

Question 8

What does this passage show about God’s justice in the middle of human evil?

Accepted Answer

The story shows people acting out of jealousy, fear, and anger, yet God is still present as judge. Abner had long opposed David, God’s chosen king, and there is a sense that his violent life catches up with him. At the same time, Joab’s murder of Abner is clearly condemned, and David calls for God’s judgment on that blood. So even when people act in dark and crooked ways, God does not lose control. He sees both the long pattern of sin and each act of treachery, and he will judge fairly.

2 Samuel 3:22

¶ 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.

Joab Murders Abner

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2 Samuel 3:22

¶ 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.

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Joab Murders Abner

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