³²The Lord will pay him back for the blood he spilled. Joab attacked two men. He killed them with his sword. And my father David didn’t even know anything about it.

“Joab killed Abner, the son of Ner. Abner was the commander of Israel’s army. Joab also killed Amasa, the son of Jether. Amasa was the commander of Judah’s army. Abner and Amasa were better men than Joab is. They were more honest than he is. ³³May Joab and his children after him be held forever accountable for spilling the blood of Abner and Amasa.

“But may David and his children after him enjoy the Lord’s peace and rest forever. May the Lord also give his peace to David’s royal house and kingdom forever.”

³⁴So Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, went up to the Lord’s tent. There he struck Joab down. And he killed him. Joab’s body was buried on his own land in the desert.

³⁵The king put Benaiah in charge of the army. Benaiah took Joab’s place. The king also put the priest Zadok in Abiathar’s place.

³⁶Then the king sent for Shimei. He said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem. Live there. Don’t go anywhere else. ³⁷You must not leave the city and go across the Kidron Valley. If you do, you can be sure you will die. And it will be your own fault.”

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