New International Version The king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner have died as the lawless die? New Living Translation Then the king sang this funeral song for Abner: “Should Abner have died as fools die? English Standard Version And the king lamented for Abner, saying, “Should Abner die as a fool dies? Berean Standard Bible And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool? Berean Literal Bible And the king lamented over Abner and said, “As the death of a fool should Abner die? King James Bible And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? New King James Version And the king sang a lament over Abner and said: “Should Abner die as a fool dies? New American Standard Bible And the king sang a song of mourning for Abner and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies? NASB 1995 The king chanted a lament for Abner and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies? NASB 1977 And the king chanted a lament for Abner and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies? Legacy Standard Bible And the king chanted a lament for Abner and said, “Should Abner die as a wicked fool dies? Amplified Bible And the king sang a dirge (funeral song) over Abner and said, “Should Abner [the great warrior] die as a fool dies? Berean Annotated Bible And the king sang this lament for Abner (my father is a lamp): “Should Abner die the death of a fool? Christian Standard Bible and the king sang a lament for Abner: Should Abner die as a fool dies? Holman Christian Standard Bible and the king sang a lament for Abner: Should Abner die as a fool dies? American Standard Version And the king lamented for Abner, and said, Should Abner die as a fool dieth? Contemporary English Version Then the king sang a funeral song about Abner: Abner, why should you have died like an outlaw? English Revised Version And the king lamented for Abner, and said, Should Abner die as a fool dieth? GOD'S WORD® Translation The king sang a funeral song for Abner: Should Abner die like a godless fool? Good News Translation David sang this lament for Abner: "Why did Abner have to die like a fool? International Standard Version The king composed this mourning song for Abner: "Should Abner's death be like a fool's? NET Bible The king chanted the following lament for Abner: "Should Abner have died like a fool? New Heart English Bible The king lamented for Abner, and said, "Should Abner die as a fool dies? Webster's Bible Translation And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool? World English Bible The king lamented for Abner, and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies? Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the king laments for Abner and says, “Does Abner die as the death of a fool? Berean Literal Bible And the king lamented over Abner and said, “As the death of a fool should Abner die? Young's Literal Translation and the king lamenteth for Abner, and saith: -- 'As the death of a fool doth Abner die? Smith's Literal Translation And the king will lament for Abner, and he will say, As the fool died will Abner die? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the king mourning and lamenting over Abner, said: Not as cowards are wont to die, hath Abner died. Catholic Public Domain Version And the king, mourning and lamenting Abner, said: “By no means has Abner died the way that cowards usually die. New American Bible And the king sang this lament over Abner: Should Abner have died like a fool? New Revised Standard Version The king lamented for Abner, saying, “Should Abner die as a fool dies? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the king lamented over Abner and said, Abner died like Nabal. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the King made lamentation over Abnir and said: “Like the death of Nabal, Abnir died! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the king lamented for Abner, and said: Should Abner die as a churl dieth? Brenton Septuagint Translation And the king mourned over Abenner, and said, Shall Abenner die according to the death of Nabal? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context David Mourns for Abner…32When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept. 33And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool? 34Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. As a man falls before the wicked, so also you fell.” And all the people wept over him even more.… Cross References And the king sang this lament for Abner: 2 Samuel 1:17 Then David took up this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, 2 Chronicles 35:25 Then Jeremiah lamented over Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers recite laments over Josiah. They established them as a statute for Israel, and indeed they are written in the Book of Laments. Jeremiah 9:17-18 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Take note, and summon the wailing women; send for the most skillful among them. / Let them come quickly and take up a lament over us, that our eyes may overflow with tears, and our eyelids may gush with water. “Should Abner die the death of a fool? Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment. Psalm 49:10 For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. 1 Samuel 25:38 About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead. 2 Samuel 1:19-27 “Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! / Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. / O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. … 1 Kings 2:32 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. 2 Samuel 18:33 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!” 2 Samuel 1:25 How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights. 2 Samuel 1:21 O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. 2 Samuel 1:23 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. 2 Samuel 1:24 O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and luxury, who decked your garments with ornaments of gold. 2 Samuel 1:22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. 2 Samuel 1:20 Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. 2 Samuel 1:26 I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. Treasury of Scripture And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dies? 2 Samuel 13:12,13,28,29 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly… Proverbs 18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. Ecclesiastes 2:15,16 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity… Jump to Previous Abner Chanted Churl Death Die Died Dies Dieth Fool Foolish Grief Lamented Lamenteth Sang SongJump to Next Abner Chanted Churl Death Die Died Dies Dieth Fool Foolish Grief Lamented Lamenteth Sang Song2 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 And the king sang this lament for Abner: David publicly mourned Abner, Saul’s former commander and a key figure in Israel’s civil conflict. His lament honored Abner’s position and made clear that David did not approve of Joab’s private act of vengeance. Before all Israel, David treated Abner’s death as a national loss rather than the removal of a rival. 2Sa 1:17 Then David took up this lament for Saul and Jonathan… “Should Abner die the death of a fool? Abner had not fallen in open battle but had been murdered deceitfully at Hebron while under David’s protection. David condemned the dishonor of such a death and exposed the injustice of Joab’s act. Pro 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die… Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel who laments the death of Abner. He is a central figure in the account, known for his heart after God and his leadership. 2. Abner The commander of Saul's army and a significant military leader in Israel. His death is the subject of David's lament. 3. Joab David's military commander who deceitfully kills Abner, motivated by personal revenge. 4. Hebron The city where Abner was killed, a city of refuge, which adds a layer of injustice to his death. 5. Lament A traditional expression of mourning, often poetic, used by David to express his grief and the injustice of Abner's death. Teaching Points The Injustice of Unjust DeathsAbner's death was not due to his own folly but was a result of deceit and revenge. This reminds us of the importance of justice and the value of life. The Role of Lament in Grief David's lament for Abner shows the importance of expressing grief and acknowledging injustice. Lament can be a powerful tool for processing loss and seeking God's justice. The Consequences of Revenge Joab's actions serve as a warning against taking justice into our own hands. Revenge leads to further injustice and disrupts God's plan for peace. Leadership and Responsibility David's response to Abner's death highlights the responsibility of leaders to seek justice and mourn wrongdoing, even when it involves their own people. The Value of a Good Name Abner's undeserved death as a "fool" contrasts with the biblical emphasis on living wisely and maintaining a good reputation. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 3:33?2. How does David's lament in 2 Samuel 3:33 reflect his leadership qualities? 3. What does "died as a fool dies" teach about valuing wisdom and life? 4. How can we apply David's mourning to our response to injustice today? 5. What scriptural connections exist between 2 Samuel 3:33 and Proverbs on wisdom? 6. How does David's lament influence our understanding of godly sorrow and repentance? 7. Why did David lament Abner's death in 2 Samuel 3:33? 8. What does 2 Samuel 3:33 reveal about David's character? 9. How does 2 Samuel 3:33 reflect on justice and leadership? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 3? Verse 33. - The king lamented. The word is the same as that used in ch. 1:17. The word rendered "fool" is nabal (for which see 1 Samuel 25:25). The idea contained in the word is not that of mere silliness, but of worthlessness also; and thus in Psalm 14:1 we find that the nabal is also an atheist. David’s brief but potent lament teaches that righteous leadership publicly grieves injustice, defends the innocent, and refuses to let treachery define a person’s legacy. Even amid political turmoil, the king’s song directs the nation to God’s standards of honor, mercy, and justice. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And the kingהַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king sang this lament וַיְקֹנֵ֥ן (way·qō·nên) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6969: To strike a, musical note, chant, wail for אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Abner: אַבְנֵ֖ר (’aḇ·nêr) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name “Should Abner אַבְנֵֽר׃ (’aḇ·nêr) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name die יָמ֥וּת (yā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill the death הַכְּמ֥וֹת (hak·kə·mō·wṯ) Article, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin of a fool? נָבָ֖ל (nā·ḇāl) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 5036: Foolish, senseless Additonal Resources 2 Samuel 3:33 Blue Letter Bible2 Samuel 3:33 Bible Gateway 2 Samuel 3:33 Bible.com 2 Samuel 3:33 NIV |
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