Cursedis he who strikeshis neighborin secret.'And allthe peopleshall say,'Amen.'
Absalomcommandedhis servants,saying,"Seenow,when Amnon'sheartis merrywith wine,and when I sayto you, 'StrikeAmnon,'then puthim to death.Do not fear;have not I myselfcommandedyou? Be courageousand be valiant."
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.
"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.
"You shall not murder.
Ifa mantakesthe lifeof anyhumanbeing,he shall surelybe putto death.
If anyonekillsa person,the murderershall be putto deathat the evidenceof witnesses,but nopersonshall be putto deathon the testimonyof onewitness.
Moreover, you shall not takeransomfor the lifeof a murdererwhois guiltyof death,but he shall surelybe putto death.
