⁶ David had said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief.^(A)

¹⁶ Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder;^(A)

²³ Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel;^[a] Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites;^(A)

²⁷ When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gateway to speak with him privately, and there he stabbed him in the stomach. So he died on account of the blood of Asahel, Joab’s^[a] brother.^(A)

¹⁸ The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle.^(A)

²⁵ The Israelites said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. The king will greatly enrich the man who kills him and will give him his daughter and make his family free in Israel.”^(A)

¹⁶ And Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kiriath-sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as wife.”^{(A) 17} Othniel son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it, and he gave him his daughter Achsah as wife.