What does "your hands were not bound" signify about Abner's character and fate? Setting the Scene • After Saul’s death, Abner, commander of Saul’s army, backs Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 2:8–10). • A rift with Ish-bosheth drives Abner to transfer the kingdom to David (2 Samuel 3:6-12). • Joab murders Abner in the gateway of Hebron—outside legal process and within a city of refuge (2 Samuel 3:27). • David laments, “Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered; you fell as one falls before the wicked” (2 Samuel 3:34). Understanding the Phrase “Your Hands Were Not Bound” • In Old Testament culture, binding the hands marked a prisoner’s guilt or subjugation (Jude 15:13; 2 Kings 17:4). • David’s words highlight the absence of any legal arrest: Abner was free, unrestrained, innocent of wrongdoing at the moment of his death. • “Not bound” emphasizes that Abner was not overpowered in battle or taken captive; he walked willingly into Hebron under a flag of peace (2 Samuel 3:20-21). What It Reveals About Abner’s Character • Integrity in Negotiation – He sought genuine reconciliation with David, trusting in lawful procedures rather than force. • Courage and Confidence – Entering Hebron unarmed and unbound implies he feared no accusation because his conscience was clear (Proverbs 28:1). • Reputation for Strength – A warrior like Abner would normally be restrained if considered dangerous. The fact that he was not shows even his enemies respected his prowess and character. What It Reveals About Abner’s Fate • Victim of Treachery – Dying “as one falls before the wicked” underscores that his death was an act of murder, not justice (Exodus 20:13). • Judicial Injustice – The Mosaic Law required a trial for bloodshed (Numbers 35:22-25). Abner received none; Joab ignored God-ordained due process. • Tragic Irony in a City of Refuge – Hebron was designated for asylum (Joshua 21:13). Being killed there, while unbound, magnified the crime and the sorrow. • End of an Era – Abner’s free yet fatal fall signaled the collapse of Saul’s house and cleared the path for David’s uncontested reign, fulfilling God’s promise (1 Samuel 16:1, 13). Key Takeaways • Being “not bound” certifies Abner’s innocence and honorable intent. • His murder exposes the depth of human treachery when vengeance overrides God’s law. • God ultimately vindicates righteousness; Joab’s later execution for this very act (1 Kings 2:5-6, 28-34) confirms divine justice, even if delayed. |
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