2-5. During the Hebron years, sons were born to David:Amnon, born of Ahinoam of Jezreel—the firstborn;Kileab, born of Abigail of Carmel, Nabal’s widow—his second;Absalom, born of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur—the third;Adonijah, born of Haggith—the fourth;Shephatiah, born of Abital—the fifth;Ithream, born of Eglah—the sixth.These six sons of David were born in Hebron.
19. Abner took the Benjaminites aside and spoke to them. Then he went to Hebron for a private talk with David, telling him everything that Israel in general and Benjamin in particular were planning to do.
20. When Abner and the twenty men who were with him met with David in Hebron, David laid out a feast for them.
21. Abner then said, “I’m ready. Let me go now to rally everyone in Israel for my master, the king. They’ll make a treaty with you, authorizing you to rule them however you see fit.” Abner was sent off with David’s blessing.
22-23. Soon after that, David’s men, led by Joab, came back from a field assignment. Abner was no longer in Hebron with David, having just been dismissed with David’s blessing. As Joab and his raiding party arrived, they were told that Abner the son of Ner had been there with David and had been sent off with David’s blessing.
24-25. Joab went straight to the king: “What’s this you’ve done? Abner shows up, and you let him walk away scot-free? You know Abner son of Ner better than that. This was no friendly visit. He was here to spy on you, figure out your comings and goings, find out what you’re up to.”