New International Version Later, when David heard about this, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. New Living Translation When David heard about it, he declared, “I vow by the LORD that I and my kingdom are forever innocent of this crime against Abner son of Ner. English Standard Version Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Berean Standard Bible Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. Berean Literal Bible And David heard it after thus, and he said, “I and My kingdom are guiltless before YHWH, even to forever, of the blood of Abner son of Ner. King James Bible And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: New King James Version Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “My kingdom and I are guiltless before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. New American Standard Bible Afterward, when David heard about this, he said, “I and my kingdom are innocent before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. NASB 1995 Afterward when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are innocent before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. NASB 1977 And afterward when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are innocent before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Legacy Standard Bible Afterward David heard it, so he said, “I and my kingdom are innocent before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Amplified Bible Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Berean Annotated Bible Afterward, David (beloved) heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD {YHWH} concerning the blood of Abner (my father is a lamp) son of Ner (lamp). Christian Standard Bible David heard about it later and said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. Holman Christian Standard Bible David heard about it later and said: “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. American Standard Version And afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Jehovah for ever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner: Contemporary English Version David heard how Joab had killed Abner, and he said, "I swear to the LORD that I am completely innocent of Abner's death! English Revised Version And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: GOD'S WORD® Translation Later when David heard about it, he said, "As far as the LORD is concerned, my kingdom and I are forever innocent of spilling the blood of Ner's son Abner. Good News Translation When David heard the news, he said, "The LORD knows that my subjects and I are completely innocent of the murder of Abner. International Standard Version Later on, David found out about it and proclaimed, "Let me and my kingdom remain guiltless forever in the LORD's presence for the death of Ner's son Abner. NET Bible When David later heard about this, he said, "I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD of the shed blood of Abner son of Ner! New Heart English Bible Afterward, when David heard it, he said, "I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD now and forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Webster's Bible Translation And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAfterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. World English Bible Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David hears afterward and says, “My kingdom and I [are] acquitted by YHWH for all time, from the blood of Abner son of Ner; Berean Literal Bible And David heard it after thus, and he said, “I and My kingdom are guiltless before YHWH, even to forever, of the blood of Abner son of Ner. Young's Literal Translation And David heareth afterwards and saith, 'Acquitted am I, and my kingdom, by Jehovah, unto the age, from the blood of Abner son of Ner; Smith's Literal Translation And David will hear from after this, and he will say, I am innocent, and my kingdom, with Jehovah even forever, from the bloods of Abner son of Ner. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when David heard of it, after the thing was now done, he said: I, and my kingdom are innocent before the Lord for ever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner: Catholic Public Domain Version And when David had heard of it, now that the matter was done, he said: “I and my kingdom are clean before the Lord, even forever, of the blood of Abner, the son of Ner. New American Bible Later David heard of it and said: “Before the LORD, I and my kingdom are forever innocent. New Revised Standard Version Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner son of Ner. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David heard after this and said: “I am innocent, and my kingdom, from before LORD JEHOVAH of the blood of Abnir, son of Nir, forever! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And afterward when David heard it, he said: 'I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner; Brenton Septuagint Translation And David heard of it afterwards, and said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord even for ever of the blood of Abenner the son of Ner. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Joab Murders Abner…27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. 28Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. 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.”… Cross References Afterward, David heard about this 2 Samuel 1:11-12 Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 2 Samuel 18:31-33 Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: Today the LORD has avenged you of all who rose up against you!” / The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And the Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you to harm you be like that young man.” / The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD 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.” Deuteronomy 21:8-9 Accept this atonement, O LORD, for Your people Israel whom You have redeemed, and do not hold the shedding of innocent blood against them.” And the bloodshed will be atoned for. / So you shall purge from among you the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD. Numbers 35:33-34 Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. / Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.” concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. 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. 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. Numbers 35:16-21 If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. / Or if anyone has in his hand a stone of deadly size, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. / If anyone has in his hand a deadly object of wood, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. … 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. Deuteronomy 21:1-9 If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, / your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. / Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work, … Psalm 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” Acts 18:6 But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Acts 20:26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. Ezekiel 18:13 He engages in usury and takes excess interest. Will this son live? He will not! Since he has committed all these abominations, he will surely die; his blood will be on his own head. Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the horn to warn the people, and the sword comes and takes away a life, then that one will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’ Treasury of Scripture And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: guiltless Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. Exodus 21:12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. Numbers 35:33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. blood [heb] bloods Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. Jump to Previous Abner Acquitted Afterward Age Blood Clear David Eyes Forever Guiltless Heard Heareth Innocent Kingdom Later Ner WordJump to Next Abner Acquitted Afterward Age Blood Clear David Eyes Forever Guiltless Heard Heareth Innocent Kingdom Later Ner Word2 Samuel 3 1. During the war David becomes stronger2. 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 Afterward, David heard about this Joab had murdered Abner, the former commander of Saul’s army who had come to David seeking to bring the northern tribes under his rule. Abner’s death endangered the growing unity between David and Israel and could have been viewed as politically advantageous to David. 2Sa 1:11-12 Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them… and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD David publicly rejected any involvement in Abner’s death. As king, he recognized that Joab’s act could bring blame upon the kingdom unless he clearly condemned it before God and the people. 1Ki 2:31-33 And the king replied, “Do just as he says.… concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. Abner had been killed by Joab in personal revenge for Asahel’s death, not through lawful judgment. David refused to let Abner’s bloodshed become a cause for further conflict or a stain upon his reign. 1Ki 2:5-6 Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me… Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, anointed by God, who seeks to maintain justice and righteousness in his kingdom. In this verse, he distances himself from the murder of Abner. 2. Abner son of Ner A commander of Saul's army who had defected to David's side. His murder by Joab was a significant political and moral issue for David. 3. Joab David's military commander who killed Abner out of revenge for his brother Asahel's death, complicating David's political situation. 4. Hebron The city where Abner was killed, a city of refuge, which adds to the gravity of Joab's act since it was supposed to be a place of safety. 5. The LORD The covenant God of Israel, before whom David declares his innocence, emphasizing his desire to uphold divine justice. Teaching Points The Importance of JusticeDavid's response highlights the necessity of justice and righteousness in leadership. Leaders must ensure that their actions and those of their subordinates align with God's standards. Personal Responsibility David's declaration of innocence shows the importance of personal responsibility and integrity. Believers are called to live blamelessly before God and man. The Consequences of Revenge Joab's act of revenge led to political and moral complications. Christians are reminded to leave vengeance to God and pursue peace. The Role of Repentance and Confession While David was innocent in this matter, his life shows the importance of repentance and confession when one is guilty, maintaining a clear conscience before God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 3:28?2. How does David's response in 2 Samuel 3:28 demonstrate his trust in God? 3. What can we learn about justice from David's declaration in 2 Samuel 3:28? 4. How does 2 Samuel 3:28 connect with Romans 12:19 about vengeance? 5. How can we apply David's example of innocence in our daily conflicts? 6. What does David's reaction in 2 Samuel 3:28 teach about leadership responsibility? 7. Why did David declare himself innocent of Abner's death in 2 Samuel 3:28? 8. How does 2 Samuel 3:28 reflect on David's leadership and moral integrity? 9. What does 2 Samuel 3:28 reveal about the political dynamics in David's kingdom? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 3? (28) I and my kingdom are guiltless.--This was true. Joab's act was entirely without David's knowledge, and was not only against his will on moral grounds, but was in danger of proving disastrous to him politically; hence he takes the strongest means of showing his abhorrence of the deed.Verse 28. - I and my kingdom are guiltless. By this David means, not his royal house, but the people generally, who too often have to pay the penalty for the sins of their rulers (see 2 Samuel 21:1). Necessarily this is the case, wherever the crime is a state crime; but David protests that Abner's murder was a private crime, for which Joab and Abishai alone ought to suffer. 2 Samuel 3:28 records David’s swift, public stand for justice after Abner’s murder. He affirms that neither he nor his kingdom bears blame, anchoring his words in God’s own standards for innocent blood. By distancing himself from Joab’s vengeance, David preserves the moral integrity of his reign and exemplifies leadership that fears the LORD above all. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Afterward,כֵ֔ן (ḵên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus David דָּוִד֙ (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse heard וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע (way·yiš·ma‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently about this מֵאַ֣חֲרֵי (mê·’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition-m Strong's 310: The hind or following part and said, וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “I אָנֹכִ֧י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I and my kingdom וּמַמְלַכְתִּ֛י (ū·mam·laḵ·tî) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 4467: Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign are forever עוֹלָ֑ם (‘ō·w·lām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always guiltless נָקִ֨י (nā·qî) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt before מֵעִ֥ם (mê·‘im) Preposition-m Strong's 5973: With, equally with the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel concerning the blood מִדְּמֵ֖י (mid·də·mê) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed of Abner אַבְנֵ֥ר (’aḇ·nêr) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Ner. נֵֽר׃ (nêr) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5369: Ner -- father of Abner, also the father of Kish Additonal Resources 2 Samuel 3:28 Blue Letter Bible2 Samuel 3:28 Bible Gateway 2 Samuel 3:28 Bible.com 2 Samuel 3:28 NIV |
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