When Joab came out from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it. And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father’s house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.
Comment: I must confess that I forgotten about Abner killing Joab’s brother, but Joab hadn’t and under the cover of defending David from the schemes of Abner he and his brother murdered Abner. David was furious. Because of his position no punishment was given Joab but David utters a six-fold curse on the whole house of Joab.
Prayer: Teach me and help me to be a person of integrity and uprightness, please.
As I read it! 