⁵ “Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah ^(A)did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to ^(B)Abner the son of Ner and ^(C)Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime, and put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet.

²⁷ Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab ^(A)took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there ^[a]stabbed him ^(B)in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of ^(C)Asahel his brother.

¹⁰ But Amasa did not notice the sword that was in Joab’s hand. And ^(A)he struck him with it ^(B)in the stomach, and his entrails poured out on the ground; and he did not strike him again. Thus he died.

Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.

¹² But the man said to Joab, “Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. ^(A)For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ^[a]‘Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!’

⁵ Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” ^(A)And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains orders concerning Absalom.

¹⁴ Then Joab said, “I cannot linger with you.” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart, while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree.

³⁹ And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, ^(A)are too harsh for me. ^(B)The Lord shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness.”