24. Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he’s gone.
25. You know Abner son of Ner! He came to trick you! He came to learn about everything you are doing!”
26. Then Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought Abner back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know this.
27. When Abner arrived at Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway. Joab acted as though he wanted to talk with him in private. But Joab stabbed Abner in the stomach, and Abner died. Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel. So Joab killed Abner to pay him back.
28. Later David heard the news. He said, “My kingdom and I are innocent forever. We did not kill Abner son of Ner. The Lord knows this.
29. Joab and his family are responsible for this. I hope many troubles will come to his family. May his family always have someone with sores or with a harmful skin disease. May they always have someone who must lean on a crutch. May some of his family be killed in war. May they always have someone without food to eat.”