But Joab, absent on a raid, returned and, after denouncing Abner as a conniving spy, personally called him back and tricked Abner into a position where he could kill him.​—2Sa 3:20-27.

Many years later, while nearing the time of his own death, David remembered Abner’s death (as well as Amasa’s) and charged Solomon with the responsibility of removing the stain of bloodguilt that Joab had brought on David’s house. (1Ki 2:1, 5, 6) Shortly thereafter, Abner’s slayer, Joab, was executed at Solomon’s order.​—1Ki 2:31-34.