2 Samuel 3:22

22 Right then, David's soldiers and Joab returned from a raid, bringing a great deal of loot with them. Abner was no longer with David in Hebron because David had sent him off 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 When Abner, along with twenty others, reached David at Hebron, David threw a celebration for Abner and his men.

21 Then Abner said to David, "Please let me get going so I can assemble all Israel for my master the king. Then they can make a covenant with you, and you will rule over everything your heart desires." At that, David sent Abner off in peace.

22 Right then, David's soldiers and Joab returned from a raid, bringing a great deal of loot with them. Abner was no longer with David in Hebron because David had sent him off in peace.

23 When Joab and all the troops with him returned, Joab was told that Abner, Ner's son, had come to the king and that David had sent him off in peace.

24 Joab went to the king and asked, "What have you done? Abner came to you here! Why did you send him off? Now he's gotten away!