2Samuel:3:22-39

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* And , behold , the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop , 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 . * When Joab and all the host that was with him were 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 . * Then Joab came to the king , and said , What have you done ? behold , Abner came unto you ; why is it that you have sent him away , and he is quite gone ? * 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 . * 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 . * And when Abner was returned to Hebron , Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly , and stroke him there under the fifth rib , that he died , for the blood of Asahel his brother . * 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 : * 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 has an issue , or that is a leper , or that leans on a staff , or that falls on the sword , or that lacks bread . * So Joab , and Abishai his brother slew Abner , because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle . * And David said to Joab , and to all the people that were with him , Rend your clothes , and gird you with sackcloth , and mourn before Abner . And king David himself followed the bier . * And they buried Abner in Hebron : and the king lifted up his voice , and wept at the grave of Abner ; and all the people wept . * And the king lamented over Abner , and said , Died Abner as a fool dies ? * Your hands were not bound , nor your feet put into fetters : as a man falls before wicked men , so fell you . And all the people wept again over him . * And when all the people came to cause David to eat food while it was yet day , David swore , saying , So do God to me , and more also , if I taste bread , or ought else , till the sun be down . * And all the people took notice of it , and it pleased them : as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people . * For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner . * And the king said unto his servants , Know all of you not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel ? * And I am this day weak , though anointed king ; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me : the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness .

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