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Journey Through the Bible

2 Samuel 3:28-39

28 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.

29 May his blood fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father’s house! May Joab’s house never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food.”

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

31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier.

32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also.

33 The king sang this lament for Abner:
“Should Abner have died as the lawless die?

34 Your hands were not bound,
your feet were not fettered.
You fell as one falls before wicked men.”
And all the people wept over him again.

35 Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!”

36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.

37 So on that day all the people and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.

38 Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day?

39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!”

Cross References for 2 Samuel 3:28-39

Genesis 9:6 - “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has Go... Click to read the verse Genesis 9:6 Click to read the verse Genesis 9:6

Genesis 4:10 - The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Click to read the verse Genesis 4:10 Click to read the verse Genesis 4:10

Numbers 35:33 - “‘Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be m... Click to read the verse Numbers 35:33 Click to read the verse Numbers 35:33

Deuteronomy 21:1-9 - Atonement for an Unsolved Murder If a man is found slain, lying in a field in the land the Lord... Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 21:1-9 Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Exodus 21:12 - Personal Injuries “Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. Click to read the verse Exodus 21:12 Click to read the verse Exodus 21:12

Matthew 27:24 - When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took w... Click to read the verse Matthew 27:24 Click to read the verse Matthew 27:24

Numbers 32:22 - then when the land is subdued before the Lord, you may return and be free from your obligation ... Click to read the verse Numbers 32:22 Click to read the verse Numbers 32:22

Psalms 51:14 - Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteous... Click to read the verse Psalms 51:14 Click to read the verse Psalms 51:14

Deuteronomy 21:8 - Accept this atonement for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, O Lord, and do not hold y... Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 21:8 Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 21:8

1 Kings 2:31 - Then the king commanded Benaiah, “Do as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so clear me ... Click to read the verse 1 Kings 2:31 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 2:31

Acts 20:26 - Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. Click to read the verse Acts 20:26 Click to read the verse Acts 20:26