2 Samuel 3:30
New International Version
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

New Living Translation
So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.

English Standard Version
So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

Berean Standard Bible
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

King James Bible
So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

New King James Version
So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

New American Standard Bible
So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

NASB 1995
So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

NASB 1977
So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

Amplified Bible
So Joab and Abishai his brother murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

Christian Standard Bible
Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

American Standard Version
So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

Contemporary English Version
Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

English Revised Version
So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

Good News Translation
So Joab and his brother Abishai took revenge on Abner for killing their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

International Standard Version
He said this because Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner after he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

Majority Standard Bible
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

NET Bible
So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel in Gibeon during the battle.

New Heart English Bible
So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

Webster's Bible Translation
So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

World English Bible
So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Joab and his brother Abishai slew Abner because that he put their brother Asahel to death in Gibeon, in battle.

Young's Literal Translation
And Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner because that he put to death Asahel their brother, in Gibeon, in battle.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because be slew Asahel their brother in Gibeon in war.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So Joab and Abisai his brother slew Abner, because he had killed their brother Asael at Gabaon in the battle.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon, during the battle.

New American Bible
Joab and Abishai his brother had been lying in wait for Abner because he killed Asahel their brother in battle at Gibeon.

New Revised Standard Version
So Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner because he had slain their brother Ashael at Gibeon in the battle.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Yuab and Abishai his brother killed Abnir because he had killed Shayel their brother in Gebuun in battle
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For Joab and Abessa his brother laid wait continually for Abenner, because he slew Asael their brother at Gabaon in the battle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joab Murders Abner
29May it whirl over the heads of Joab and the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.” 30(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

Cross References
Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Exodus 20:13
You shall not murder.

Numbers 35:19-21
The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him. / Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him, / or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death; he is a murderer. When the avenger of blood finds the murderer, he is to kill him.

Deuteronomy 19:11-13
If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. / You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you.

1 Kings 2:5-6
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

1 Kings 2:31-33
And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.”

1 Chronicles 11:6
Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.

Psalm 55:23
But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...

Proverbs 28:17
A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

Luke 11:50-51
As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.


Treasury of Scripture

So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

slew Abner

Proverbs 28:17
A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Acts 28:4
And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

because

2 Samuel 2:19-23
And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner…

Jump to Previous
Abishai Abi'shai Abner Asahel As'ahel Battle Death Fight Gibeon Joab Jo'ab Killed Murdered Slain Slew
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Abishai Abi'shai Abner Asahel As'ahel Battle Death Fight Gibeon Joab Jo'ab Killed Murdered Slain Slew
2 Samuel 3
1. During the war David becomes stronger
2. Six sons are born to him in Hebron
6. Abner, displeased with Ishbosheth
7. revolts to David
13. David requires as a condition to bring him his wife Michal
17. Abner confers with the Israelites, feasted by David, and dismissed
22. Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and kills Abner
28. David curses Joab
31. and mourns for Abner














Joab and his brother Abishai
Joab and Abishai were sons of Zeruiah, David's sister, making them David's nephews. Joab was the commander of David's army, known for his military prowess and strategic mind. Abishai, also a warrior, often accompanied Joab in battles. Their familial connection to David placed them in positions of influence and power within his kingdom. The brothers were fiercely loyal to David but often acted independently, sometimes contrary to David's wishes.

murdered Abner
Abner was the commander of Saul's army and a significant figure in the power struggle following Saul's death. He initially supported Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, as king over Israel but later sought to transfer his allegiance to David. Joab's murder of Abner was a personal vendetta disguised as a political act. This act of murder was against the cultural norms of hospitality and peace negotiations, as Abner had come to Hebron under the pretense of peace.

because he had killed their brother Asahel
Asahel, the younger brother of Joab and Abishai, was known for his speed and agility. During the battle at Gibeon, Asahel pursued Abner with the intent to kill him. Despite Abner's warnings to turn aside, Asahel persisted, leading Abner to kill him in self-defense. This event set the stage for Joab and Abishai's desire for revenge, highlighting the cultural importance of blood vengeance in ancient Israelite society.

in the battle at Gibeon
The battle at Gibeon was part of the ongoing conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David. Gibeon was a significant city located northwest of Jerusalem, known for its large pool where the battle began. This conflict was a microcosm of the larger struggle for power in Israel, as David sought to consolidate his rule over all the tribes. The battle and its aftermath illustrate the turbulent and violent nature of the period, as well as the personal vendettas that often influenced political actions.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joab
The commander of King David's army and a key military leader in Israel. He is known for his strategic mind and fierce loyalty to David, though his actions often reflect personal vendettas and a lack of mercy.

2. Abishai
Joab's brother, also a military leader under David. He is known for his bravery and loyalty, often accompanying Joab in military exploits.

3. Abner
The commander of Saul's army and a significant figure in the power struggle following Saul's death. He initially opposed David but later sought to align with him.

4. Asahel
The brother of Joab and Abishai, known for his swiftness. He was killed by Abner during a battle at Gibeon, which fueled Joab and Abishai's desire for revenge.

5. Gibeon
A significant location in Israel's history, often associated with battles and strategic military events.
Teaching Points
The Dangers of Personal Vengeance
Joab and Abishai's actions serve as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of personal revenge. Their decision to kill Abner was driven by a desire for retribution rather than justice, leading to further bloodshed and conflict.

The Importance of Justice Over Revenge
The Bible consistently teaches that justice should be pursued over personal vengeance. Believers are called to trust in God's perfect justice rather than taking matters into their own hands.

The Consequences of Unchecked Anger
Joab and Abishai's anger over Asahel's death led them to commit murder. This highlights the importance of managing anger and seeking reconciliation rather than allowing it to fester and lead to sin.

The Role of Forgiveness in Conflict Resolution
While the Old Testament often reflects a culture of retribution, the New Testament calls believers to forgive and seek peace. This shift emphasizes the transformative power of forgiveness in resolving conflicts.(30) Slew . . . had slain.--The words are different in Hebrew, the former denoting violence. Translate the latter had put to death. By this strong disapproval of Joab's act, David shows that it was done without his knowledge or consent. He still remains at fault, however, for continuing Joab in his high and responsible position; but this seems to have been the result of inability to inflict proper punishment upon so powerful a subject, an inability which David on his death-bed sought to remedy by his charge to Solomon. (See 2Samuel 3:39; 1Kings 2:5.)

Verse 30. - Joab and Abishai his brother. Nothing is said of Abishai having taken part in the murder, but the words suggest that it was a premeditated act, and that Abishai was privy to it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
(Joab
וְיוֹאָב֙ (wə·yō·w·’āḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

and his brother
אָחִ֔יו (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

Abishai
וַאֲבִישַׁ֣י (wa·’ă·ḇî·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 52: Abishai -- 'my father is Jesse', an Israelite name

murdered
הָרְג֖וּ (hā·rə·ḡū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

Abner
לְאַבְנֵ֑ר (lə·’aḇ·nêr)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

because
עַל֩ (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

he had killed
הֵמִ֜ית (hê·mîṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

their brother
אֲחִיהֶ֛ם (’ă·ḥî·hem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

Asahel
עֲשָׂהאֵ֧ל (‘ă·śā·h·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6214: Asahel -- 'God has made', four Israelites

in the battle
בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ (bam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

at Gibeon.)
בְּגִבְע֖וֹן (bə·ḡiḇ·‘ō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1391: Gibeon -- a Levitical city in Benjamin


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OT History: 2 Samuel 3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 3:29
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