(vors: 27,_ 30~ as _the ost~nsible ground, and was perhap_s popularly regarded as n sufficient Justification of his deed. "The act of Abner was Justifiable homicide• but it was pi:ecisely to _such Clll!es that the rule applied, ~ot to those of murder, e.galnst the penalt1os of which no sanctuary afforded 11rotect1on. Besides, unless the right of avengement for blood did apply to Huch cases as this, whence the deep necessity of Abner to avoid slaying Asahel ( eh. ii. 22)? It may be admittted that a case ot this nature may have involved some doubt as to the application of the rule to it and very likely it w11,s _not in such cases often enforced. But where any room for doubt existed, Joab and Ab1sha.i might intei:pret it in their own favour as their justification for an act th~ true moti~es of which du~t not be alleged, and as a ground on which they might claim exemption from the punishment due to murder" (Kitto, • Daily Biblo Illue.'). 1:1· PLAUSIBLE PRETEXTS OFTEN COVER THE BASEST MOTIVES, though they cannot entirely conceal them. 1. Vindictiveness. Joab's act, even if it fell within the letter of the Law, which allowed punishment for homicide under certain circumstances (Numb. xxxv. 22), was shown. by the place, the time, and the manner of it, to have been done not from regard for justice, but from deliberate, unwarrantable, malicious revenge. S~ David regarded it,(ver. 28); denounciug it as the "sheddina of the blood of war in peace" (1 Kings ii. 5), and joining it with the murder of .Amasa. 2. Jealousy and ambition (1 Sam. :rviii. 6-16). This was his maiu motive. He was "afraid of losing his command of the army and his dignity with the king, and lest he should be deprived of those ~van~«:5 and Abner should obtain the first rank in David's court" (Josephus). Hence his suspicion and slander of Abner (ver. 25). "Through envy of the devil came death into the world" (Wisd. of Sol ii. 24). '
"' Envy &t others' good is evermore Malignant poison setting on the soul : A double woe to him infected by it- Of inward pain the bee.vy load he be11rs, At sight of joy witlwut b.e ever mourns." (.lEschylus.)
3. Presumption. He rudely remonstrated with the king (ver. 24), presuming upon his positiou; and afterwards, without the king's authority, whilst seeming to act under it, rece.lled the man who had been sent away under the king's protection; and gratified his private revenge, regardless of the effect of his conduct on the king's dignity and reputation. 4. Treachery. Under the ~retenee of speaking with him in a. friendly and confidential manner, he drew his victim aside in the middle of the gate, and smote him there. Possibly Abishai alone was witness of the act. "Cursed be he that switeth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen" (Deut. xxvii. 24). IIL lMPm."ITY IN CB.IME lS COMMONLY PRODUCTIVE OF DISASTROUS EFFECTS. Under the i;:ircumstances, it would hardly have been possible for David to punish Joab and Abishai. "Probably public feeling would not have supported the kirig, nor could he, at this crisis of his a.flairs, have afforded the loss of such generals, or brave the people and the army" (Edersheim). Great men often owe their exemption from punishment to their position. But crime, although unpunished by man: 1. lncurs the righteous dis- pleasure of God. (Vere. 29, 39.) Human punishment does not and. cannot always accord with the Divine. Although David could not punish, he durst not forgive. Eis words "express his moral horror at this evil deed, and at the same time tbe everlasting law of God's req uiting justice." "The extension of the curse to the descendants clearly refers to the threatenings of the Law; and in both cases the offensive character dis- appears if we only remember that whoever by true repentance freed himself from collliection with the guilt, was also exempted from participation in the punishment" (Hengstenberg). 2. Incius other 1T,en to similar crimes. It is not improbable that Ba.auah and Rechab were induced to assassinate Ishboshetb ( eh. iv. 6) by tbe unavenged death of .Abner. 3. E-r.courageii tl,e criminal to continue bis evil course, increases bis obduracy, and causes him to "wax worse and worse." "Joab prospered even after his sin. God gave him time for repentance. But he hardened hi8 heart by sin. And in the ei,d he was cut off." "Successful crime is splendid misery." 4. Escapes not/or evM the retribution which it deserves. "Evil pursueth sinners" (Prov. xiii. :.ll; OIi, III, 1-39.] TllE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 93