THE SON OF JESSE ON THE THRONE. 199

George. Were there any more battles fought between
Joab and Abner ?

Grandfather. There, is no particular account given us
of another battle, yet we are told that war continued long
between the house of Saul and the house of David; and
that while the son of Jesse was growing stronger and
stronger, his adversaries were growing weaker and weak-
er. A quarrel between Ishbosheth and Abner brought
matters to a point. Abner made a league with David,
and exerted himself to bring over to his side all the sub-
jects of Ishbosheth. When he had communicated with
the chiefs of the people, and got some of them to enter
into his views, he went to Hebron to confer with David
on the subject. David received him kindly, and they
parted good friends. Soon after Abner left, Joab and
the army returned from pursuing an enemy over whom
they had been victorious. When Joab was told of the
treaty with Abner, he spoke very angrily of it to David,
and privately sent off messengers to bring Abner back.
Unsuspectingly, the son of Ner returned to meet his
doom. In the gate of Hebron Joab took him aside, and
gave him his death blow there.

Marianne. Why did Joab do such a wicked thing,
grandfather ? ,

Grandfather. The reason given is, because his brother
Asahel was slain by Abner. But that was no excuse;
Asahel was slain in fair fight, but Abner fell by secret
treachery. It is not improbable that jealousy of Abner
prompted Joab to do the vile deed he did. He dreaded