14. At the same time David sent messengers to Ishbaal, son of Saul, to say, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed by paying a hundred Philistine foreskins.”
15. Ishbaal sent for her and took her away from her husband Paltiel, son of Laish,
16. who followed her weeping as far as Bahurim. But Abner said to him, “Go back!” So he turned back.
17. Abner then had a word with the elders of Israel: “For some time you have been wanting David as your king.
18. Now take action, for the Lord has said of David: By David my servant I will save my people Israel from the power of the Philistines and from the power of all their enemies.”
19. Abner also spoke with Benjamin, and then went to speak with David in Hebron concerning all that would be agreeable to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin.
20. When Abner, accompanied by twenty men, came to David in Hebron, David prepared a feast for Abner and for the men who were with him.
21. Then Abner said to David, “I will now go to assemble all Israel for my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you; you will then be king over all whom you wish to rule.” So David let Abner go on his way in peace.
22. Just then David’s servants and Joab were coming in from an expedition, bringing much plunder with them. Abner, having been dismissed by David, was no longer with him in Hebron but had gone on his way in peace.
23. When Joab and the whole force he had with him arrived, he was informed, “Abner, son of Ner, came to David, and he let him go on his way in peace.”
24. So Joab went to the king and said: “What have you done? Abner came to you! Why did you let him get away?
25. Don’t you know Abner? He came to trick you, to learn your comings and goings, to learn everything you do.”
26. Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner to bring him back from the cistern of Sirah; but David did not know.
27. When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside within the city gate to speak with him privately. There he stabbed him in the abdomen, and he died for the blood of Asahel, Joab’s brother.
28. Later David heard of it and said: “Before the Lord, I and my kingdom are forever innocent.
29. May the blood of Abner, son of Ner, be on the head of Joab and all his family. May Joab’s family never be without one suffering from a discharge, or one with a skin disease, or a man who holds the distaff, or one falling by the sword, or one in need of food!”
30. Joab and Abishai his brother had been lying in wait for Abner because he killed Asahel their brother in battle at Gibeon.