2 Samuel 3:22

22 Now 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.

2 Samuel 3:22 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 3:22

And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from
[pursuing] a troop
A troop of robbers, that made an incursion into the land, taking the advantage of a civil war between Israel and Judah; such as the Edomites, Amalekites, and especially the Philistines; which Joab hearing of went out in pursuit of them, and overtook them:

and brought in a great spoil with them;
which they took from them:

but Abner [was] not with David in Hebron:
when Joab and his army entered the city with their booty:

for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace;
he had just dismissed him, and he was gone off safely.

2 Samuel 3:22 In-Context

20 So Abner, with twenty men, came to Hebron, to David. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.

21 And 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.

22 Now 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.

23 When 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.

24 Then 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?