2nd Samuel 3:27-29

2nd Samuel 3:27, “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. And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.”

King David is a frustrating character in the Holy Bible. In the preceding Scripture text David said that the blood of Abner wasn't upon his hands, but in fact it was upon his hands, because as the king it was his duty to execute justice in the land. David should have punished Joab for murdering Abner in cold blood.

Abner had been the commander of Saul's armies. When Saul died Abner served King David. Joab had a brother named Asahel. Asahel pursued Abner and Abner warned him to back off and leave it alone, but like his stubborn brother Joab, Asahel refused to back off from pursuing Abner to kill him. Abner was reluctant to kill Asahel because he was David's young nephew, the son of David's sister. But Asahel was impetuous to kill Abner and continued to pursue him, so Abner had no choice but to kill Asahel, Joab's brother.

Consequently, Joab murdered Abner, which was wrong. Abner defended himself against Asahel. What else could Abner have done? Joab was a bad guy! Joab later would murder David's son Absalom, defying the king's royal order not to harm Absalom. Joab didn't care, he just did what ever he felt like doing. I encourage you to listen to Alexander Scourby read the Old Testament book of 2nd Samuel, it is very intriguing.

David did have blood upon his hands. When someone is murdered, even if it is an unidentified body found in a deserted area, there is blood upon the land in God's sight until there is justice for that slain person. David as king had a responsibility to execute justice for Abner, but for whatever he didn't. David had no right to claim to wash his hands of Joab's murder of Abner. King David could have punished Joab, but chose not to. David had blood on his hands!