20 So Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.
21 Then Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and agather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may breign over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
Joab Murders Abner
22 At that moment the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much1 spoil with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
23 When Joab and all the troops that were with him had come, they told Joab, saying, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he sent him away, and he has gone in peace.”
24 Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you; why is it that you sent him away, and he has already gone?
25 Surely you realize that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you, to know ayour going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”
26 And when Joab had gone from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it.
27 Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab atook him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there1 stabbed him bin the stomach, so that he died for the blood of cAsahel his brother.
28 Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “My kingdom and I are1 guiltless before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
29 aLet it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and let there never fail to be in the1 house of Joab one bwho has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Book Notes:
Robertson's Book Notes (NT)
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