2Sa 3:28-29 | TNotes | STEP | 3:28 David made it clear that he had nothing to do with Abner’s death, labeling it as a crime . David knew that because his second-in-command had killed Abner, rumors would circulate among those loyal to Saul’s dynasty that David had ordered the killing. • I vow by the Lord : David called on the Lord to hold him accountable if he were lying.

c1 Kgs 2:5-6►

d1 Kgs 2:31-33►

‏ 2 Samuel 3:28-29

3:28 ^a David made it clear that he had nothing to do with Abner’s death, labeling it as a crime. David knew that because his second-in-command had killed Abner, rumors would circulate among those loyal to Saul’s dynasty that David had ordered the killing.

• I vow by the Lord: David called on the Lord to hold him accountable if he were lying.
3:29 ^b leprosy: While leprosy is a possible translation, the Hebrew here probably refers to a broader range of skin inflammations, not only Hansen’s disease.

• who walks on crutches: This curse effectively alienated Joab from David, and from this point on they had only a professional relationship. David’s deathbed order to Solomon to get rid of Joab (1 Kgs 2:5-6 ^c) and Solomon’s exoneration of David in Abner’s death (1 Kgs 2:31-33 ^d) indicate that David’s mourning over Abner was genuine.