1. 2 Samuel 3:31 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why did David command Joab to mourn the death of Abner?

2 Samuel 3:31 (ESV)

31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier.

Joab was publicly humiliated when he was forced to wear mourning clothes and walk in front of Abner’s casket.1 The state-sponsored funeral shows that Abner was considered to be a loyal friend of David and that his death was not lawful.