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2 Samuel
Chapter 3
Verse 3

2 Samuel 3:33

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool?

American Standard Version (1901)

And the king lamented for Abner, and said, Should Abner die as a fool dieth?

Bible in Basic English

And the king made a song of grief for Abner and said, Was the death of Abner to be like the death of a foolish man?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the king mourning and lamenting over Abner, said: Not as cowards are wont to die, hath Abner died.

Free Bible Version

The king sang this lament for Abner: “Did Abner deserve to die like a criminal?

Geneva Bible 1599

And the King lamented ouer Abner, and sayde, Dyed Abner as a foole dyeth?

King James (Authorized) Version

And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

Translation for Translators

David sang this sad song to lament for Abner: “It is not right that [RHQ] Abner died like outlaws die!

Unlocked Literal Bible

The king lamented for Abner and sang, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

Noah Webster Bible

And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

World English Bible

The king lamented for Abner, and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

Young's Literal Translation

and the king lamenteth for Abner, and saith: — 'As the death of a fool doth Abner die?

Context

David Mourns for Abner

³²When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept. ³³And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool? ³⁴Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. As a man falls before the wicked, so also you fell.” And all the people wept over him even more.

Summary

This verse describes the deep grief and lamentation of King David upon hearing about the death of Abner, the commander of Saul's army. David expresses his sorrow by fasting and mourning, recognizing the loss of a great leader and warrior. Despite the conflicts and divisions within Israel at that time, David's genuine display of mourning reflects his desire for unity and peace among the people. This event also serves as a reminder of the consequences of violence and the importance of valuing life and reconciliation over enmity and strife.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

The king lamented over Abner - This lamentation, though short, is very pathetic. It is a high strain of poetry; but the measure cannot be easily ascertained. Our own translation may be measured thus: - Died Abner as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, Nor thy feet put into fetters. As a man falleth before the wicked. So hast thou fallen! Or thus: - Shall Abner die a death like to a villain's? Thy hands not bound, Nor were the fetters to thy feet applied. Like as one falls before the sons of guilt, So hast thou fallen! He was not taken away by the hand of justice, nor in battle, nor by accident: he died the death of a culprit by falling into the hands of a villain. This song was a heavy reproof to Joab; and must have galled him extremely, being sung by all the people.

2 Samuel 3:33

David Mourns for Abner

³²When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept. ³³And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool? ³⁴Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. As a man falls before the wicked, so also you fell.” And all the people wept over him even more.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool?

American Standard Version (1901)

And the king lamented for Abner, and said, Should Abner die as a fool dieth?

Bible in Basic English

And the king made a song of grief for Abner and said, Was the death of Abner to be like the death of a foolish man?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the king mourning and lamenting over Abner, said: Not as cowards are wont to die, hath Abner died.

Free Bible Version

The king sang this lament for Abner: “Did Abner deserve to die like a criminal?

Geneva Bible 1599

And the King lamented ouer Abner, and sayde, Dyed Abner as a foole dyeth?

King James (Authorized) Version

And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

Translation for Translators

David sang this sad song to lament for Abner: “It is not right that [RHQ] Abner died like outlaws die!

Unlocked Literal Bible

The king lamented for Abner and sang, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

Noah Webster Bible

And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

World English Bible

The king lamented for Abner, and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

Young's Literal Translation

and the king lamenteth for Abner, and saith: — 'As the death of a fool doth Abner die?

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

The king lamented over Abner - This lamentation, though short, is very pathetic. It is a high strain of poetry; but the measure cannot be easily ascertained. Our own translation may be measured thus: - Died Abner as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, Nor thy feet put into fetters. As a man falleth before the wicked. So hast thou fallen! Or thus: - Shall Abner die a death like to a villain's? Thy hands not bound, Nor were the fetters to thy feet applied. Like as one falls before the sons of guilt, So hast thou fallen! He was not taken away by the hand of justice, nor in battle, nor by accident: he died the death of a culprit by falling into the hands of a villain. This song was a heavy reproof to Joab; and must have galled him extremely, being sung by all the people.