²⁰ When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast^(A) for him and his men. ²¹ Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant^(B) with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.”^(C) So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

Joab Murders Abner

²² Just then David’s men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.