20. Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron. There David prepared a feast for them.
21. Abner said to David, “My master and king, I will go and bring all the Israelites to you. Then they will make an agreement with you so you will rule over all Israel as you wanted.” So David let Abner go, and he left in peace.
22. Just then Joab and David’s men came from a battle, bringing many valuable things they had taken from the enemy. David had let Abner leave in peace, so he was not with David at Hebron.
23. When Joab and all his army arrived at Hebron, the army said to Joab, “Abner son of Ner came to King David, and David let him leave in peace.”
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.