So when Abnerreturnedto Hebron,Joabtookhim asideinto the middleof the gateto speakwith him privately,and therehe struckhim in the bellyso that he diedon account of the bloodof Asahelhis brother.
Then Absalomsaid,"If not, pleaselet my brotherAmnongowith us." And the kingsaidto him, "Whyshould he gowith you?"
"Sayto Amasa,'Are you not my boneand my flesh?May Goddosoto me, and morealso,ifyou will not be commanderof the armybeforeme continuallyin placeof Joab.'"
When Joabcameout from David,he sentmessengersafterAbner,and they broughthim backfrom the wellof Sirah;but Daviddid not know[it].
Afterwardwhen Davidheardit, he said,"I and my kingdomare innocentbeforethe LORDforeverof the bloodof Abnerthe sonof Ner.
Now when Ish-bosheth, Saul'sson,heardthat Abnerhad diedin Hebron,he lostcourage,and allIsraelwas disturbed.
"The LORDwill returnhis bloodon his own head,becausehe fellupon twomenmorerighteousand betterthanhe and killedthem with the sword,while my fatherDaviddid not know[it]: Abnerthe sonof Ner,commanderof the armyof Israel,and Amasathe sonof Jether,commanderof the armyof Judah.
"Now you alsoknowwhatJoabthe sonof Zeruiahdidto me, whathe didto the twocommandersof the armiesof Israel,to Abnerthe sonof Ner,and to Amasathe sonof Jether,whom he killed;he also shedthe bloodof warin peace.And he putthe bloodof waron his beltabout his waist,and on his sandalson his feet.
for the half-tribeof Manassehin Gilead,Iddothe sonof Zechariah;for Benjamin,Jaasielthe sonof Abner;
[Though his] hatredcoversitself with guile,His wickednesswill be revealedbefore the assembly.
Ishmaelthe sonof Nethaniahand the tenmenwhowere with him aroseand struckdownGedaliahthe sonof Ahikam,the sonof Shaphan,with the swordand putto deaththe one whomthe kingof Babylonhad appointedover the land.
The bloodavengerhimselfshall putthe murdererto death;he shall puthim to deathwhen he meetshim.
Ifhe pushedhim of hatred,orthrewsomething at him lyingin waitand [as a result] he died,
Cursedis he who strikeshis neighborin secret.'And allthe peopleshall say,'Amen.'
