25 You know that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to find out about your activities and everything you’re doing.”
26 Then Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought him back from the well of Sirah, but David was unaware of it.
27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside to the middle of the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died in revenge for the death of Asahel, Joab’s brother.
28 David heard about it later and said: “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.
29 May it hang over Joab’s head and his father’s whole house, and may the house of Joab never be without someone who has a discharge or a skin disease, or a man who can only work a spindle, or someone who falls by the sword or starves.”
30 Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.
31 David then ordered Joab and all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn over Abner.” And King David walked behind the funeral procession.