2 Samuel 3:23

23 When Yo'av and all the host who was with him had come, they told Yo'av, saying, Aviner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in shalom.

2 Samuel 3:23 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 3:23

When Joab and all the host that [was] with him were come
To Hebron, or rather to David's court; for their coming to the city is before mentioned; this must be understood not of the whole army, of all the common soldiers, but of the chief officers, who with Joab came to court, to wait upon David, and report their success:

they told Joab, saying, Abner the son, of Ner came to the king;
some of the courtiers informed him of it, who knew it would not be very agreeable to him:

and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace:
instead of seizing him, and laying him in a prison as his enemy, he has let him go with all the marks of friendship and good will.

2 Samuel 3:23 In-Context

21 Aviner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Yisra'el to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires. David sent Aviner away; and he went in shalom.

22 Behold, the servants of David and Yo'av came from a foray, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Aviner was not with David in Hevron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in shalom.

23 When Yo'av and all the host who was with him had come, they told Yo'av, saying, Aviner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in shalom.

24 Then Yo'av came to the king, and said, What have you done? behold, Aviner came to you; why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone?

25 You know Aviner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do.