2 Samuel 3:22-37

22Just thenH2009 David’sH1732 soldiersH5650 and JoabH3097 returnedH935 from a raidH1416, bringingH935 with themH5973 a greatH7227 plunderH7998. But AbnerH74 was notH369 withH5973 DavidH1732 in HebronH2275, becauseH3588 David had sent himH7971 on his wayH1980 in peaceH7965. 23When JoabH3097 and allH3605 his troopsH6635 arrivedH935, he was informedH5046, “AbnerH74 sonH1121 of NerH5369 cameH935 toH413 see the kingH4428, who sent himH7971 on his wayH1980 in peaceH7965.”

24So JoabH3097 wentH935 toH413 the kingH4428 and saidH559, “WhatH4100 have you doneH6213? LookH2009, AbnerH74 cameH935 to youH413. WhyH4100H2088 did you dismiss himH7971? Now he is getting awayH1980! 25Surely you realizeH3045 thatH3588 AbnerH74 sonH1121 of NerH5369 cameH935 to deceive youH6601 and to trackH3045 your movementsH4161 and allH3605 thatH834 you areH859 doingH6213.”

26As soon as JoabH3097H5973 had leftH3318 DavidH1732, he sentH7971 messengersH4397 afterH310 AbnerH74, who brought him backH7725 from the wellH953 of SirahH5626. But DavidH1732 was unawareH3808 of itH3045.

27When AbnerH74 returnedH7725 to HebronH2275, JoabH3097 pulled him asideH5186 intoH413 the gatewayH8179, as if to speakH1696 to him privatelyH854H7987, and thereH8033 Joab stabbed himH5221 in the stomachH2570. So Abner diedH4191 on account of the bloodH1818 of Joab’s brotherH251 AsahelH6214.

28AfterwardH3651, DavidH1732 heardH8085 about thisH310 and saidH559, “IH595 and my kingdomH4467 are foreverH5704H5769 guiltlessH5355 beforeH5973 the LORDH3068 concerning the bloodH1818 of AbnerH74 sonH1121 of NerH5369. 29May it whirlH2342 overH5921 the headH7218 of JoabH3097 and overH413 the entireH3605 houseH1004 of his fatherH1, and may the houseH1004 of JoabH3097 neverH408 be withoutH3772 one having a dischargeH2100 or skin diseaseH6879, or one who leansH2388 on a staffH6418 or fallsH5307 by the swordH2719 or lacksH2638 foodH3899.”

30(JoabH3097 and his brotherH251 AbishaiH52 murderedH2026 AbnerH74 becauseH5921 he had killedH4191 their brotherH251 AsahelH6214 in the battleH4421 at GibeonH1391.)

31Then DavidH1732H413 orderedH559 JoabH3097H413 and allH3605 the peopleH5971 with himH854, “TearH7167 your clothesH899, put onH2296 sackclothH8242, and mournH5594 beforeH6440 AbnerH74.” And KingH4428 David himselfH1732 walkedH1980 behindH310 the funeral bierH4296.

32When they buriedH6912 AbnerH74 in HebronH2275, the kingH4428 weptH1058 aloudH5375H6963 atH413 Abner’sH74 tombH6913, and allH3605 the peopleH5971 weptH1058. 33And the kingH4428 sang this lamentH6969 forH413 AbnerH74H559:

And allH3605 the peopleH5971 weptH1058 over himH5921 even moreH3254.

35Then allH3605 the peopleH5971 cameH935 and urged DavidH1732 to eatH1262 somethingH3899 while it was stillH5750 dayH3117, but DavidH1732 took an oathH7650, sayingH559, “May GodH430 punishH3541H6213 me, and ever soH3541 severelyH3254H3588, ifH518 I tasteH2938 breadH3899 orH176 anything elseH3605H3972 beforeH6440 the sunH8121 setsH935!”

36AllH3605 the peopleH5971 took noteH5234 andH3190 were pleasedH5869. In fact, everythingH3605 the kingH4428 didH6213 pleasedH5869 themH3605H5971H2895. 37So on thatH1931 dayH3117 allH3605 the troopsH5971 and allH3605 IsraelH3478 were convincedH3045 thatH3588 the kingH4428 had noH3808 partH1961 in the murderH4191 of AbnerH74 sonH1121 of NerH5369.