24 So Joab went to the king and said, 'What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone!'
25 'You know Abner son of Ner! He came to deceive you and to learn about your comings and goings and everything you are doing.'
26 Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the cistern at Sirah. But David knew nothing about it.
27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside inside the gate, as if to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the belly, killing him in revenge for the blood of his brother Asahel.
28 Later, when David heard about this, he declared, 'I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD regarding the blood of Abner son of Ner.
29 May the guilt fall upon Joab and his entire family! May they always be afflicted with a discharge, skin disease, a need to rely on a crutch, death by the sword, or lack of bread.'
30 (Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)
31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, 'Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.' And King David himself walked behind the bier.