So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.
Parallel translations
- WEB So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
- KJV So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
- BSB (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)
- NKJV So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
- NLT So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The narrator confirms that Joab and Abishai killed Abner to avenge Asahel. Their motive is named plainly as blood-vengeance.
Overview
This summary verse states the deed and its cause: Joab and his brother Abishai slew Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon. Naming both brothers ties Abishai to the guilt as well. The plain statement underscores that this was personal revenge, not justice, carried out treacherously after the battle had ended.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- 2 Sam 2:19–23Asahel pursued Abner; and in going he didn’t turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.
- Acts 28:4When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”
- Prov 28:17A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.
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God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
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Original language
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