took him: 2Sa 20:9, 2Sa 20:10, Deu 27:24, 1Ki 2:5, 1Ki 2:32 quietly: or, peaceably, Jer 41:2, Jer 41:6, Jer 41:7 and smote: Joab was afraid that Abner, after rendering such essential service to David, would be made the general of the army; and therefore, under pretence of avenging the death of his brother, he treacherously assassinated the unsuspecting and too-confiding Abner, and such was the power of this cool-blooded and nefarious murderer, that the king dared not bring him to justice for his crime. But, while Joab's conduct cannot be too severely reprobated, the justice of God is apparent in Abner's punishment; who, from ambition, had pertinaciously, against his conscience, opposed the declared will of God; and was induced by base resentment to desert Ish-bosheth, and offer his services to David. See note on 2Sa 3:6, and see note on 2Sa 4:6. for the blood: 2Sa 2:19-23 Reciprocal: Gen 4:8 - talked Exo 21:14 - slay Num 35:20 - if he thrust 1Sa 14:50 - the name of the captain 1Sa 26:5 - Abner 2Sa 2:22 - how then 2Sa 2:23 - the fifth rib 2Sa 3:12 - my hand 2Sa 3:25 - that he came 2Sa 4:11 - require 2Sa 11:16 - he assigned 2Sa 11:21 - Thy servant 2Sa 13:26 - let my brother 2Sa 14:19 - of Joab 1Ch 11:6 - Joab 1Ch 21:6 - Joab 1Ch 27:21 - Abner Neh 6:2 - Come Psa 55:23 - bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days Pro 7:26 - General Pro 10:18 - that hideth Pro 26:26 - Whose hatred is covered by deceit Jer 9:8 - one Jer 41:1 - they did Hos 6:8 - polluted with blood Mat 26:48 - Whomsoever