And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

2 SAMUEL 3:27KJV
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2 Samuel 3:27 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 3:27 mean?

2 Samuel 3:27 describes Joab’s revenge against Abner for the death of Joab’s brother Asahel. Joab draws Abner into a private conversation at Hebron’s gate and kills him. The verse presents the killing as a response to a family death, not as a battle between the two men.

The city gate was a place where people entered and gathered. Joab’s move to take Abner aside gave the encounter a more private appearance. After David had sent Abner away in peace, the attack suddenly breaks that peace.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 3:27

  • “quietly” — שְׁלִי (sheli): This word carries the sense of quiet or privacy. It describes the manner in which Joab wanted to speak with Abner at the gate.
  • “fifth” — חֹמֶשׁ (ḥomesh): The word refers to a part of the body, often understood as the abdomen. The KJV’s “under the fifth rib” gives a more specific location than the Hebrew term necessarily provides.
  • “blood” — דָּם (dam): The word means blood and can stand for a person’s violent death. Here, “for the blood of Asahel” gives Joab’s reason for striking Abner.

Why 2 Samuel 3:27 matters

  • Abner had killed Asahel during a pursuit, after warning him to turn away. That earlier encounter in 2 Samuel 2:19–23 explains why Joab held Abner responsible.
  • David’s response separates him from Joab’s act. In 2 Samuel 3:28–29, David declares himself and his kingdom innocent of Abner’s blood and places responsibility on Joab’s family.
  • The location has added significance in the wider story. Hebron was later named as a city of refuge, a place where a person who caused a death could seek protection while the case was considered (Joshua 20:7).

Where else these words appear

“fifth” Hebrew H2570 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
  • 2 Samuel 4:6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
  • 2 Samuel 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

“Asahel” Hebrew H6214 · used in 17 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
  • 2 Samuel 2:23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:16 Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.

“in” Hebrew H413 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
  • Exodus 8:25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.
  • 1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.

“Abner” Hebrew H74 · used in 53 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
  • 2 Samuel 2:23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
  • 2 Samuel 3:21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.