And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
Parallel translations
- WEB The king lamented for Abner, and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?
- BSB And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool?
- NKJV And the king sang a lament over Abner and said: “Should Abner die as a fool dies?
- NASB And the king sang a song of mourning for Abner and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?
- NLT Then the king sang this funeral song for Abner: “Should Abner have died as fools die?
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
David sings a lament asking whether Abner had to die like a fool. He mourns the senseless, undeserved manner of Abner's death.
Overview
David composes a brief elegy, asking whether so capable a man as Abner should die as a fool or villain dies, that is, by treachery rather than honorable battle. The lament dignifies Abner and laments the injustice of his murder. David's poetic mourning, like his earlier lament for Saul and Jonathan, shows his magnanimity and grief over needless bloodshed.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Luke 12:19–20And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
- 2 Sam 13:12–13And 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.
- 2 Sam 1:17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
- 2 Chr 35:25And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.
- Jer 17:11As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
- Prov 18:7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
- Eccl 2:15–16Then 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.
- 2 Sam 13:28–29Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
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Christ at the center
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.
How 2 Samuel 3:33 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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