was dismissed； desired him to bring the multitude with him； that
he might deliver up the government to him； when David himself was
present； and a spectator of what was done。
5。 When David had sent Abner away； Joab； the of his army； came
immediately to Hebron； he had understood that Abner had been with
David； and had parted with him a little before under leagues and
agreements that the government should be delivered up to David；
he feared lest David should place Abner； who had assisted him to
gain the kingdom； in the first rank of dignity； especially since
he was a shrewd man in other respects； in understanding affairs；
and in managing them artfully； as proper seasons should require；
and that he should himself be put lower； and be deprived of the
command of the army； so he took a knavish and a wicked course。 In
the first place； he endeavored to calumniate Abner to the king；
exhorting him to have a care of him； and not to give attention to
what he had engaged to do for him； because all he did tended to
confirm the government to Saul's son； that he came to him
deceitfully and with guile； and was gone away in hopes of gaining
his purpose by this management： but when he could not thus
persuade David； nor saw him at all exasperated； he betook himself
to a project bolder than the former： … he determined to kill
Abner； and in order thereto； he sent some messengers after him；
to whom he gave in charge； that when they should overtake him
they should recall him in David's name； and tell him that he had
somewhat to say to him about his affairs； which he had not
remembered to speak of when he was with him。 Now when Abner heard
what the messengers said； （for they overtook him in a certain
place called Besira； which was distant from Hebron twenty
furlongs；） he suspected none of the mischief which was befalling
him； and came back。 Hereupon Joab met him in the gate； and
received him in the kindest manner； as if he were Abner's most
benevolent acquaintance and friend； for such as undertake the
vilest actions； in order to prevent the suspicion of any private
mischief intended； do frequently make the greatest pretenses to
what really good men sincerely do。 So he took him aside from his
own followers； as if he would speak with him in private； and
brought him into a void place of the gate； having himself nobody
with him but his brother Abishai； then he drew his sword； and
smote him in the groin； upon which Abner died by this treachery
of Joab； which； as he said himself； was in the way of punishment
for his brother Asahel； whom Abner smote and slew as he was
pursuing after him in the battle of Hebron； but as the truth was；
out of his fear of losing his command of the army； and his
dignity with the king； and lest he should be deprived of those
advantages； and Abner should obtain the first rank in David's
court。 By these examples any one may learn how many and how great
instances of wickedness men will venture upon for the sake of
getting money and authority； and that they may not fail of either
of them； for as when they are desirous of obtaining the same；
they acquire them by ten thousand evil practices； so when they
are afraid of losing them； they get them confirmed to them by
practices much worse than the former； as if no other calamity so
terrible could befall them as the failure of acquiring so exalted
an authority； and when they have acquired it； and by long custom
found the sweetness of it； the losing it again： and since this
last would be the heaviest of all afflictions they all of them
contrive and venture upon the most difficult actions； out of the
fear of losing the same。 But let it suffice that I have made
these short reflections upon that subject。
6。 When David heard that Abner was slain； it grieved his soul；
and he called all men to witness； with stretching out his hands
to God； and crying out that he was not a partaker in the murder
of Abner； and that his death was not procured by his command or
approbation。 He also wished the heaviest curses might light upon
him that slew him and upon his whole house； and he devoted those
that had assisted him in this murder to the same penalties on its
account； for he took care not to appear to have had any hand in
this murder； contrary to the assurances he had given and the
oaths he had taken to Abner。 However； he commanded all the people
to weep and lament this man； and to honor his dead body with the
usual solemnities； that is； by rending their garments； and
putting on sackcloth； and that things should be the habit in
which they should go before the bier； after which he followed it
himself； with the elders and those that were rulers； lamenting
Abner； and by his tears demonstrating his good…will to him while
he was alive； and his sorrow for him now he was dead； and that he
was not taken off with his consent。 So he buried him at Hebron in
a magnificent manner； and indited funeral elegies for him； he
also stood first over the monument weeping； and caused others to
do the same； nay； so deeply did the death of Abner disorder him；
that his companions could by no means force him to take any food；
but he affirmed with an oath that he would taste nothing till the
sun was set。 This procedure gained him the good…will of the
multitude； for such as had an affection for Abner were mightily
satisfied with the respect he paid him when he was dead； and the
observation of that faith he had plighted to him； which was shown
in his vouchsafing him all the usual ceremonies； as if he had
been his kinsman and his friend； and not suffering him to be
neglected and injured with a dishonorable burial； as if he had
been his enemy； insomuch that the entire nation rejoiced at the
king's gentleness and mildness of disposition； every one being
ready to suppose that the king would have taken the same care of
them in the like circumstances； which they saw be showed in the
burial of the dead body of Abner。 And indeed David principally
intended to gain a good reputation； and therefore he took care to
do what was proper in this case； whence none had any suspicion
that he was the author of Abner's death。 He also said this to the
multitude； that he was greatly troubled at the death of so good a
man； and that the affairs of the Hebrews had suffered great
detriment by being deprived of him； who was of so great abilities
to preserve them by his excellent advice； and by the strength of
his hands in war。 But he added； that 〃God； who hath a regard to
all men's actions； will not suffer this man ＇Joab＇ to go off
unrevenged； but know ye； that I am not able to do any thing to
these sons of Zeruiah； Joab and Abishai； who have more power than
I have； but God will requite their insolent attempts upon their
own heads。〃 And this was the fatal conclusion of the life of
Abner。
CHAPTER 2。
That Upon The Slaughter Of Ishbosheth By The Treachery Of His
Friends； David Received The Whole Kingdom。
1。 When Ishbosheth； the son of Saul； had heard of the death of
Abner； he took it to heart to be deprived of a man that was of
his kindred； and had indeed given him the kingdom； but was
greatly afflicted； and Abner's death very much troubled him； nor
did he himself outlive any long time； but was treacherously set
upon by the sons of Rimmon； （Baanah and Rechab were their names；）
and was slain by them； for these being of a family of the
Benjamites； and of the first rank among them； thought that if
they should slay Ishbosheth； they should obtain large presents
from David； and be made commanders by him； or； however； should
have some other trust committed to them。 So when they once found
him alone； and asleep at noon； in an upper room； when none of his
guards were there； and when the woman that kept the door was not
watching； but was fallen asleep also； partly on account of the
labor she had undergone； and partly on account of the heat of the
day； these men went into the room in which Ishbosheth； Saul's
son； lay asleep； and slew him； they also cut off his head； and
took their journey all that night； and the next day； as supposing
themselves flying away from those they had injured； to one that
would accept of this action as a favor； and would afford them
security。 So they came to Hebron； and showed David the head of
Ishbosheth； and presented themselves to him as his well…wishers；
and such as had killed one that was his enemy and antagonist。 Yet
David did not relish what they had done as they expected； but
said to them； 〃You vile wretches； you shall immediately receive
the punishment you deserve。 Did not you know what vengeance I
executed on him that murdered Saul； and brought me his crown of
gold； and this while he who made this slaughter did it as a favor
to him； that he might not be caught by his enemies？ Or do you
imagine that I am altered in my disposition； and suppose that I
am not the same man I then was； but am pleased with men that are
wicked doers； and esteem your vile actions； when you are become
murderers of your master； as grateful to me； when you have slain
a righteous man upon his bed； who never did evil to any body； and
treated you with great good…will and respect？ Wherefore you shall
suffer the punishment due on his account； and the vengeance I
ought to inflict upon you for killing Ishbosheth； and for
supposing that I should take his death kindly at your hands； for
you could not lay a greater blot on my honor； than by making such
a supposal。〃 When David had said this； he tormented them with all
sorts of torments； and then put them to death； and he bestowed
all accustomed rites on the burial of the head of Ishbosheth； and
laid it in the grave of Abner。
2。 When these things were brought to this conclusion； all the
principal men of the Hebrew people came to David to Hebron； with
the heads of thousands； and other rulers； and delivered
themselves up to him； putting him in mind of the good…will they
had borne to him in Saul's lifetime； and the respect they then
had not ceased to pay him when he was captain of a thousand； as
also that he was chosen of God by Samuel the prophet； he and his
sons； （2） and declaring besides； how God had given him power to
save the land of the Hebrews； and to overcome the Philistin