20. When Abner, accompanied by twenty men, came to David in Hebron, David prepared a feast for Abner and for the men who were with him.
21. Then Abner said to David, “I will now go to assemble all Israel for my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you; you will then be king over all whom you wish to rule.” So David let Abner go on his way in peace.
22. Just then David’s servants and Joab were coming in from an expedition, bringing much plunder with them. Abner, having been dismissed by David, was no longer with him in Hebron but had gone on his way in peace.
23. When Joab and the whole force he had with him arrived, he was informed, “Abner, son of Ner, came to David, and he let him go on his way in peace.”
24. So Joab went to the king and said: “What have you done? Abner came to you! Why did you let him get away?
25. Don’t you know Abner? He came to trick you, to learn your comings and goings, to learn everything you do.”
26. Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner to bring him back from the cistern of Sirah; but David did not know.