(28) And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD forever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: (29) 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.
Very proper as it was, and becoming in David, to make an appeal to his own innocency respecting the death of Abner, lest the world should have been tempted to suspect that David sent for Abner only but to murder him; yet the imprecations which he made use of were highly reprehensible, because they were not sanctioned, as we learn, from divine authority. Dearest Jesus! how doth thy bright example of mercy strike our view, in that on the cross thou didst pray for pardon, even for thy murderers!