And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
When Abner came back to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside at the city gate as if to have a private conversation with him. But then Joab stabbed him in the stomach, killing him, to get revenge for the death of his brother Asahel.
Joab murdered Abner in an act of personal revenge, disguising it as a private meeting but actually seeking to avenge his brother's death.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during the civil war after King Saul's death, when David was king of Judah and Saul's son ruled the northern tribes. Abner had been the commander of Saul's army but had recently switched sides to support David. Earlier, Abner had killed Joab's brother Asahel in battle when Asahel was pursuing him.
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