Vengeance
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Evidently, Joab had been away on a raid when David entertained Abner.
“The raid had probably been against the Amalekites, the Philistines, or some other enemy of Judah. It is possible that the expedition had been planned by David, so that Joab would not be present during Abner’s visit. Joab returned, elated with his victory and the great spoil.” It would have been imprudent for the two generals to meet at the outset of negotiations, for they were rivals, not allies. Needless to say, Joab was not happy with David’s course of action (2 Samuel 3:24, 25). Joab remonstrated with his king for allowing a spy to escape.
“Joab may have had an honest suspicion of Abner’s integrity, but in addition there existed a feeling of personal enmity, due partly to the fact that in the famous old warrior Joab would find a formidable rival, and partly to the blood feud between him and Abner for the slaying of Asahel (2 Sam. 2:22, 23).” Joab sent messengers after Abner, recalling him to Hebron—perhaps he sent the request in the name of David; regardless, Abner came immediately. Joab met him at the gate to Hebron and stabbed him in the stomach with a hidden knife.
“Joab slew Abner for blood revenge. He may have justified his retaliation by the provision of Num. 35:26, 27. Interestingly enough, Hebron was a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7) and in view of that fact, Joab may have carried out his deed in the city gate. The death of Asahel, however, took place in battle, and the slaying was an unwilling and reluctant act of self-defense on the part of Abner. Joab may not have been familiar with these details. But he should have studied the far-reaching effect of his deed, delaying as it did the formation of a united kingdom for some time.” “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32).
