“So that day, all the people and all Israel understood that the king had had no part in the killing of Avner the son of Ner.  The king said to his servants, ‘You realize that a leader, a great man, has fallen today in Israel.’”-2 Samuel 3:37-38 When we last left off, David was in […]

“Thus Yo’av and Avishai his brother killed Avner, because he had killed their brother ‘Asah’el during the battle in Giv‘on.”-2 Samuel 3:30 I wanna show you something interesting in verse 30, which says… “Thus Yo’av and Avishai his brother killed Avner, because he had killed their brother ‘Asah’el during the battle in Giv‘on.” Notice the […]

“Afterwards, when David heard of it, he said, ‘I and my kingdom are forever innocent of the death of Avner the son of Ner.  Let it fall on the head of Yo’av and all his father’s family. May Yo’av’s family always have someone with a hemorrhage or tzara‘at, or who has to walk with a […]

We’re told that Joab slaughtered Avner at the city gate. There’s some interesting symbolism here we’d be remiss to overlook. In the ancient Middle East, the city gate often doubled as an outdoor courtroom where the elders tried cases and decisions were handed down. So, in Joab’s mind, this justified the revenge he took on […]

“Yo’av went to the king and said, ‘What have you done? Here, Avner came to you, and you sent him away, and now he’s gone! Why?  You know Avner the son of Ner — he came only to deceive you, to learn what campaigns you’re planning and to find out everything you’re doing!‘”-2 Samuel 3:24-25 […]