18. So do it now, because the Lord said to David: By the hand of David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of every enemy.”
19. Abner also spoke privately with Benjamin. Then Abner went to tell David privately at Hebron all that was received favorably by Israel and the entire house of Benjamin.
20. So Abner, along with twenty men, went to David at Hebron, and David held a festival for Abner and the men who were with him.
21. Abner said to David, “Let me arise, go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went peaceably.
22. Now the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much plunder with them, but Abner was no longer with David at Hebron, because he had sent him away in peace.
23. When Joab and the whole of the army that was with him arrived, they reported to Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king and he sent him away peaceably.”
24. So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Abner came to you. Why is it that you sent him away? Now he is long gone.
25. You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you, to learn of your coming and going, to discern all that you are doing.”
26. When Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. However, David was not aware of this.