2 Samuel 3:33
New International Version
The king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner have died as the lawless die?

New Living Translation
Then the king sang this funeral song for Abner: “Should Abner have died as fools die?

English Standard Version
And the king lamented for Abner, saying, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

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

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

New King James Version
And the king sang a lament over Abner and said: “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

New American Standard Bible
And the king sang a song of mourning for Abner and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

NASB 1995
The king chanted a lament for Abner and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

NASB 1977
And the king chanted a lament for Abner and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

Legacy Standard Bible
And the king chanted a lament for Abner and said, “Should Abner die as a wicked fool dies?

Amplified Bible
And the king sang a dirge (funeral song) over Abner and said, “Should Abner [the great warrior] die as a fool dies?

Christian Standard Bible
and the king sang a lament for Abner: Should Abner die as a fool dies?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and the king sang a lament for Abner: Should Abner die as a fool dies?

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

Contemporary English Version
Then the king sang a funeral song about Abner: Abner, why should you have died like an outlaw?

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king sang a funeral song for Abner: Should Abner die like a godless fool?

Good News Translation
David sang this lament for Abner: "Why did Abner have to die like a fool?

International Standard Version
The king composed this mourning song for Abner: "Should Abner's death be like a fool's?

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

NET Bible
The king chanted the following lament for Abner: "Should Abner have died like a fool?

New Heart English Bible
The king lamented for Abner, and said, "Should Abner die as a fool dies?

Webster's Bible Translation
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?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the king laments for Abner and says, “Does Abner die as the death of a fool?

Young's Literal Translation
and the king lamenteth for Abner, and saith: -- 'As the death of a fool doth Abner die?

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will lament for Abner, and he will say, As the fool died will Abner die?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king mourning and lamenting over Abner, said: Not as cowards are wont to die, hath Abner died.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the king, mourning and lamenting Abner, said: “By no means has Abner died the way that cowards usually die.

New American Bible
And the king sang this lament over Abner: Should Abner have died like a fool?

New Revised Standard Version
The king lamented for Abner, saying, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king lamented over Abner and said, Abner died like Nabal.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King made lamentation over Abnir and said: “Like the death of Nabal, Abnir died!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king lamented for Abner, and said: Should Abner die as a churl dieth?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king mourned over Abenner, and said, Shall Abenner die according to the death of Nabal?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



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.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 1:19-27
“Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! / Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. / O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. ...

1 Kings 2:32
The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.

2 Samuel 18:33
The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

2 Samuel 1:17
Then David took up this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan,

2 Samuel 1:25
How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.

2 Samuel 1:21
O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.

2 Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.

2 Samuel 1:24
O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and luxury, who decked your garments with ornaments of gold.

2 Samuel 1:22
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

2 Samuel 1:20
Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

2 Samuel 1:26
I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.

2 Samuel 1:18
and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:

2 Samuel 1:27
How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished!”

1 Kings 2:5
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.

1 Kings 2:6
So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.


Treasury of Scripture

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

2 Samuel 13:12,13,28,29
And 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…

Proverbs 18:7
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

Ecclesiastes 2:15,16
Then 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…

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Abner Chanted Churl Death Die Died Dies Dieth Fool Foolish Grief Lamented Lamenteth Sang Song
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Abner Chanted Churl Death Die Died Dies Dieth Fool Foolish Grief Lamented Lamenteth Sang Song
2 Samuel 3
1. During the war David becomes stronger
2. Six sons are born to him in Hebron
6. Abner, displeased with Ishbosheth
7. revolts to David
13. David requires as a condition to bring him his wife Michal
17. Abner confers with the Israelites, feasted by David, and dismissed
22. Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and kills Abner
28. David curses Joab
31. and mourns for Abner














And the king sang this lament for Abner:
David, the king, expresses his grief through a lament, a common practice in ancient Israel to mourn the dead. Laments were often poetic and expressed deep sorrow. David's lamentation for Abner, the commander of Saul's army, highlights the respect and honor he held for him despite being on opposing sides. This act reflects David's character and his adherence to God's command to love one's enemies. The lament also serves as a public declaration of Abner's unjust death, distancing David from any involvement in the murder orchestrated by Joab.

Should Abner die the death of a fool?
In ancient Israel, dying "the death of a fool" implied dying without honor or in a manner unworthy of one's status. Abner was a respected military leader, and his death at the hands of Joab was treacherous and deceitful, not in battle as would befit a warrior of his stature. This phrase underscores the injustice of Abner's death and serves as a critique of Joab's actions. It also reflects the biblical theme of justice and righteousness, as seen in Proverbs 26:10, which speaks against the folly of unjust actions. David's lamentation can be seen as a type of Christ, who also mourned over Jerusalem and sought justice and righteousness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The King of Israel who laments the death of Abner. He is a central figure in the account, known for his heart after God and his leadership.

2. Abner
The commander of Saul's army and a significant military leader in Israel. His death is the subject of David's lament.

3. Joab
David's military commander who deceitfully kills Abner, motivated by personal revenge.

4. Hebron
The city where Abner was killed, a city of refuge, which adds a layer of injustice to his death.

5. Lament
A traditional expression of mourning, often poetic, used by David to express his grief and the injustice of Abner's death.
Teaching Points
The Injustice of Unjust Deaths
Abner's death was not due to his own folly but was a result of deceit and revenge. This reminds us of the importance of justice and the value of life.

The Role of Lament in Grief
David's lament for Abner shows the importance of expressing grief and acknowledging injustice. Lament can be a powerful tool for processing loss and seeking God's justice.

The Consequences of Revenge
Joab's actions serve as a warning against taking justice into our own hands. Revenge leads to further injustice and disrupts God's plan for peace.

Leadership and Responsibility
David's response to Abner's death highlights the responsibility of leaders to seek justice and mourn wrongdoing, even when it involves their own people.

The Value of a Good Name
Abner's undeserved death as a "fool" contrasts with the biblical emphasis on living wisely and maintaining a good reputation.Verse 33. - The king lamented. The word is the same as that used in ch. 1:17. The word rendered "fool" is nabal (for which see 1 Samuel 25:25). The idea contained in the word is not that of mere silliness, but of worthlessness also; and thus in Psalm 14:1 we find that the nabal is also an atheist.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the king
הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

sang this lament
וַיְקֹנֵ֥ן (way·qō·nên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6969: To strike a, musical note, chant, wail

for
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Abner:
אַבְנֵ֖ר (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

“Should Abner
אַבְנֵֽר׃ (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

die
יָמ֥וּת (yā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

the death
הַכְּמ֥וֹת (hak·kə·mō·wṯ)
Article, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

of a fool?
נָבָ֖ל (nā·ḇāl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5036: Foolish, senseless


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OT History: 2 Samuel 3:33 The king lamented for Abner and said (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 3:32
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