And I [am] this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah [be] too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
Ver. 39. And I am this day weak.] Heb., Tender; a weak he was in force, but weaker in faith, for he had God's promise: and as Hezekiah afterwards trusted in God, and pulled down the brazen serpent, so should David have done justice upon Joab whatever had come of it. Gen 9:6 Fiat iustitia, ruat caelum.
Be too hard for me.] If I provoke them, being so potent with the army, they may serve me as Abner did Ishbosheth in a displeasure, - thus carnal reason argued, b - I shall with the right hand cut off the left, as Honorius did when he destroyed Stillico: and as the Lord Protector did when he cut off his brother the admiral here in King Edward VI's reign.
a Metaph. a puero tenero et imbelli: or from a young plant easily plucked up. - Jun.
b Mussitanda igitur ad tempus haec iniuria est. - Jun.