26 When Joab came from seeing David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David did not know it. 27 And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside to the center of the gate to speak to him privately, and there he smote Abner in the abdomen, so that he died to avenge the blood of Asahel, Joab's brother. 28 When David heard of it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner son of Ner. 29 Let it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's house; and let the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or is a leper or walks with a crutch or is a distaff holder [unfit for war] or who falls by the sword or lacks food! 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.