Abner Comes to David and Is Killed

While war continued between Saul's house and David's house, Abner was making himself strong in Saul's house. Then Ishbosheth accused him concerning Rizpah, Saul's concubine. Abner became very angry and said he would help transfer the kingdom to David over Israel and Judah, as the LORD had sworn. Ishbosheth could not answer him, because he was afraid.

Abner sent messengers to David and offered his help in bringing all Israel to him. David agreed to make a treaty, but first required Michal, Saul's daughter. David sent to Ishbosheth for her, and Ishbosheth took her from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish. Paltiel followed weeping until Abner told him to go back, and he returned.

Abner spoke with the elders of Israel and with the house of Benjamin, urging them to act and make David king. Then he came to David at Hebron with twenty men, and David made a feast for them. Abner said he would gather all Israel so they could make a covenant with David, and David sent him away in peace.

Soon Joab and David's servants returned from a raid with much plunder. When Joab heard that Abner had come and gone in peace, he rebuked David and said Abner had come to deceive him and spy on him. Without David knowing, Joab sent messengers after Abner and brought him back from the well of Sirah.

At Hebron, Joab took Abner aside as if to speak privately and struck him, and Abner died because of Asahel, Joab's brother, whom Abner had killed in battle. The passage says Joab and Abishai were responsible. When David heard, he declared that he and his kingdom were guiltless before the LORD for Abner's blood.

David spoke judgement against Joab's house and commanded the people to mourn. He followed Abner's bier, wept at the grave, and sang a lament for him. David would not eat until sunset, and the people understood that the king had not arranged Abner's death. David said a great man had fallen in Israel and asked the LORD to repay the evildoer.