Bible Commentaries

2 Samuel 3:33

I. The first mark of folly about Abner's death is his strange simplicity and wonderful credulity. He had been used to court life; he had been continually by the king's side, and therefore he must have learned that the art of political speaking is to conceal your thoughts, and that courtiers' tongues shroud by language the intentions of the heart. Strange that a man like Abner, who had passed through such a school as two courts, should have believed so readily the message which Joab sent him. No man was ever more off his guard, or walked more deliberately into a trap. In the same way, it is marvellous how unsuspicious men are of sin's designs. Sin seems to sing like an enchantress, like the sirens who sang to Ulysses; and the shrewdest and the cleverest men are irresistibly, almost imperceptibly drawn toward it, and they who would see through a deception of another sort in a moment, seem, like Abner, utterly blinded in this respect.

II. Note the next thing in Abner's folly—his unused advantages. Abner was a prisoner to nobody but himself. No cord bound his arms; no iron fetters were upon his feet. Yet with hands unused and feet unemployed, he stands still like a fool to be killed.

We have had many advantages. We have the Bible, the message of the Gospel, the noble examples of parents and friends. If we die without hope, it may well be said as a requiem over us, "Died Abner as a fool dieth?"

III. Abner's very position made his folly the greater. Hebron was one of the cities of refuge. Joab spoke with him outside the gate, so Abner was within one step of safety when he was slain. Jesus Christ, the true city of Hebron—the real city of refuge—is close by us now, and if we die unsaved, like Abner. we shall die with the shadow of security lying athwart our prostrate forms.

A. G. Brown, Penny Pulpit, No. 922.

References: 2 Samuel 3:38.—J. Hiles Hitchens, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xix., p. 281; H. Grey, A Parting Memorial, p. 112. 2 Samuel 3:39.-Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. vi., No. 334; Parker, vol. vii., p. 231. 2Sam 3—Ibid., p. 86. 2 Samuel 4:1.—Ibid., p. 232. 2 Samuel 4:4.—J. Ker, Sunday Magazine, 1875, p. 279. 2 Samuel 4:9-12.—Parker, vol. vii., p. 98. 2Sam 4—Ibid., p. 106. 2 Samuel 5:1-7.—F. W. Krummacher, David the King of Israel, p. 253. 2 Samuel 5:3.—T. Coster, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xxii, p. 125. 2 Samuel 5:10.—Parker, vol. vii., p. 232. 5:11-6:23.—W. M. Taylor, David King of Israel, p. 154.