003:015 Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish. 003:016 Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then said Abner to him, Go, return: and he returned. 003:017 Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, In times past you sought for David to be king over you: 003:018 now then do it; for Yahweh has spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 003:019 Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and to the whole house of Benjamin. 003:020 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast. 003:021 Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires. David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. 003:022 Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. 003:023 When Joab and all the army who was with him had come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 003:024 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? behold, Abner came to you; why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone? 003:025 You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do. 003:026 When Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah: but David didn't know it. 003:027 When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 003:028 Afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner: 003:029 let it fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has an issue, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread. 003:030 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 003:031 David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him,