23. Joab and all his army arrived at Hebron. The army said to Joab, “Abner son of Ner came to King David, and David let Abner leave in peace.”
24. Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Abner came to you, but you sent him away without hurting him! Why?
25. You know Abner son of Ner. He came to trick you. He came to learn all about what you are doing.”
26. Joab left David and sent messengers to Abner at the well of Sirah. The messengers brought Abner back, but David did not know this.
27. When Abner arrived at Hebron, Joab met him in the gateway, pulled him aside to talk in private, and then stabbed him in the stomach. So he got his revenge against Abner. Joab killed Abner because Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel.
28. Later David heard the news and said, “My kingdom and I are innocent of the death of Abner son of Ner. The Lord knows this.
29. Joab and his family are responsible for this, and they will be cursed. Many troubles will come to his family. His people will be sick with leprosy, crippled, killed in war, and not have enough food to eat!”
30. Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.
31-32. David said to Joab and to all the people with Joab, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth. Cry for Abner.” They buried Abner in Hebron. David went to the funeral. King David and all the people cried at Abner’s grave.
33. King David sang this sad song at Abner’s funeral: “Did Abner die like some foolish criminal?
34. Abner, your hands were not tied. Your feet were not put in chains. No, Abner, evil men killed you!” Then all the people cried again for Abner.
35. All day long people came to encourage David to eat food. But David had made a special promise. He said, “May God punish me and give me many troubles if I eat bread or any other food before the sun goes down.”
36. All the people saw what happened, and they were pleased with what King David had done.
37. All the people of Judah and Israel understood that King David had not killed Abner son of Ner.
38. King David said to his officers, “You know that a very important leader died today in Israel.
39. And it was on the very same day that I was anointed to be the king. These sons of Zeruiah have caused me a lot of trouble. May the Lord give them the punishment they deserve.”