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 3:27KJVWhat does 2 Samuel 3:27 mean?
2 Samuel 3:27 describes how Joab killed Abner by taking him aside at the gate of Hebron and striking him under the fifth rib, causing his death. Joab did this as revenge for the death of his brother Asahel.
In this scene, Abner had just returned to Hebron, a city of refuge, after negotiating peace with King David. Joab, David’s military commander, secretly pulled Abner aside under the pretense of a private conversation and then killed him. The verse highlights the personal motive—Joab’s desire to avenge Asahel—rather than an official act of war or justice.
The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 3:27
- "quietly" (שָׁלֵו, shalew): This word often means "in peace" or "without suspicion." Joab’s approach seemed peaceful, making the attack a betrayal of trust.
- "under the fifth rib" (חֹמֶשׁ, chomes): This phrase refers to a vulnerable spot near the abdomen, often used in the Old Testament to describe a fatal wound. It emphasizes the deliberate and deadly intent of Joab’s action.
- "gate" (שַׁעַר, sha'ar): The city gate was a public place where important business and judgments happened. Joab’s act at the gate shows both boldness and a disregard for the city’s role as a place of refuge.
Why 2 Samuel 3:27 matters
- This verse clarifies that Joab’s killing of Abner was a personal act of revenge, not an official execution or battle death, which sets up later consequences for Joab.
- The setting at Hebron, a city of refuge, underlines the seriousness of Joab’s violation—Abner should have been safe there, making the act even more treacherous.
- The verse connects to the larger narrative about the fragile peace between David’s house and Saul’s supporters, showing how personal grudges could disrupt national reconciliation.