²² And look, the servants of David and Joab came from the raid, and they brought much plunder with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for he^[a] had dismissed him, and he had gone in peace. ²³ When Joab and all the army that was with him came, they told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he sent him away, and he left in peace.”

Joab Assassinates Abner

²⁴ Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Abner came here to you? Why have you dismissed him that he actually went away?^{[b] 25} You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you. He came to learn about your going out and coming in and to know all which you are doing.”