Study Desk

When Joab left David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David did not know about it.

And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

So when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the belly, so that he died on account of the blood of his brother Asahel.

And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

Afterward, when David heard about this, he said, "I and my kingdom are innocent before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

"May it turn upon the head of Joab and on all his father's house; and may there not be eliminated from the house of Joab someone who suffers a discharge, or has leprosy, or holds the spindle, or falls by the sword, or lacks bread."

Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.