2 Samuel 3:26

WEB

When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David did not know it.

KJV

And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

Commentary

And when Joab was come out from David,.... Which perhaps he did at once, as soon as ever he had spoken his mind, and flew out of the room in a great passion, not waiting for the king's answer, since we read of none returned; though it may be the k ing disdained to give him one, or cared not to confer with him while in his passion, until it subsided; or chose not to provoke him more, for it is plain he had great power over him; which generals of armies at this time very much assumed, see Sa2 3:39 ; he sent messengers after Abner; in the name of the king, as Abarbinel rightly supposes, and so Josephus (f); for otherwise it can hardly be thought he would have returned on a message from Joab only, who he knew bore him ill will: which brought him again from the well of Sirah; which might have its name from the thorns and briers that grew about it. Josephus (g) calls it Besira, and says it was twenty furlongs or two and an half miles from Hebron: but David knew it not; that Joab had sent messengers in his name after Abner to fetch him back; it was not done by his order, with his consent or knowledge; this is observed, to clear David from any concern in the death of Abner, as follows. (f) Antiqu. l. 7. c. 1. sect. 5. (g) Ibid.