2 Samuel 3:33 Meaning and Explanation
“And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →David sings a lament, asking whether Abner died as a fool should die.
What Does 2 Samuel 3:33 Mean?
David composes a lament over Abner, opening with a pointed question: did Abner die as a fool dies? The word fool here suggests a wicked or worthless person who meets a deserved end.
David means that Abner did not die that way at all. He was not a criminal cut down for his crimes but a capable man treacherously murdered. The king publicly clears Abner's name and laments the injustice of his death. To honor the dead truthfully, and to grieve a wrong openly, is itself an act of righteousness before God and the people.
2 Samuel 3:33 in the Original Language
nabal (נָבָל), 'fool' -- not merely the simple, but the morally senseless person whose folly is a kind of wickedness.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 3:33
What does 2 Samuel 3:33 mean?
David sings a lament, asking whether Abner died as a fool should die.