took him: 2 Samuel 20:9-10; Deuteronomy 27:24; 1 Kings 2:5, 1 Kings 2:32
quietly: or, peaceably, Jeremiah 41:2, Jeremiah 41:6-7
and smote: Joab was afraid that Abner, after rendering such essential service to David, would be made the general of the army; and therefore, under pretence of avenging the death of his brother, he treacherously assassinated the unsuspecting and too-confiding Abner, and such was the power of this cool-blooded and nefarious murderer, that the king dared not bring him to justice for his crime. But, while Joab's conduct cannot be too severely reprobated, the justice of God is apparent in Abner's punishment; who, from ambition, had pertinaciously, against his conscience, opposed the declared will of God; and was induced by base resentment to desert Ish-bosheth, and offer his services to David. See note on 2 Samuel 3:6, and see note on 2 Samuel 4:6.
for the blood: 2 Samuel 2:19-23