PT Jan-67 - Herbert W. Armstrong Library and Archives

January, 1967
The PLAIN mUTH
35
dentially." (II Samuel 3:22-27. )
Abner motioned to his men
to remain as they were, and
walked aside with Joab and
Abishai. Then he saw Joab's
right hand whip a dagger out
of his shirt - but by that time
it was too late'
David Mourns for Abner
Abner was stabbed before
he cou ld call to his men for help.
Abishai held him up for a few
moments so that it would appear
to Abner's soldiers that the three
were ho lding a confidential conversation.
Abruptly Joab and
Abishai leaped away and dashed
off to conceal themselves in H e­
bron, leaving the crumpled and
dead Abner to his stunned and
angry men.
David wasn't aware that
Joab, his army captain, had gone
to seek Abner.
Joab was so upset when he learned that David and
Abner had become reconciled that he loud ly declared
that Abner was a dangerous spy.
When news of this brazen murder came to David, he was greatly perturbed. Immediately
he made a public pronouncement that neither he nor his kingdom was in any
way guilty of Abner's death. He made it clear that the guil t should be on Joab, and
pronounced a curse on Joab and hi s descendants.
"Terrible diseases, leprosy, boils and running sores will come upon Joab and
those who descend from him '" David declared. "They will also be crippled, poor,
I
and the victims of fatal accidents, as God sees fi t'" (II Samuel 3:28-30. )
David also told the people gathered to listen to him, that there should be proper
mourning for Abner, a dedicated officer who deserved respect.
"And I expect Joab and Abishai to be among the mourners!" David stated,
knowing that it would be difficult for the two men, as the murderers, to make a public
• J