18For the Lord has said of David, By the hand of my servant David I will make my people Israel safe from the Philistines, and from all who are against them.
19And Abner said the same things to Benjamin: and he went to David in Hebron to make clear to him what seemed good to Israel and to all the people of Benjamin.
20So Abner, with twenty men, came to Hebron, to David. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.
21And Abner said to David, Now I will go, and make all Israel come to my lord the king, so that they may make an agreement with you, and your kingdom may be as wide as your heart's desire. Then David sent Abner away and he went in peace.
22Now the servants of David and Joab had been out attacking a band of armed men, and they came back with a great store of goods taken in the fight: but Abner was no longer in Hebron with David, for he had sent him away and he had gone in peace.
23When Joab and his men came, news was given them that Abner, the son of Ner, had come to the king, who had let him go away again in peace.
24Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? when Abner came to you why did you send him away and let him go?
