שמואל ב, פרק ג׳, פסוק כ״ד

Joab confronts David with harsh criticism regarding his interaction with Abner. He argues that David acted with dangerous naivety by allowing Abner to go free, insisting that he should have been imprisoned immediately [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Joab bases his deep suspicion on a clear, logical deduction regarding Abner's motives. He points out that if Abner had truly rebelled against his own king and approached David on his own initiative, he would have been terrified to return home. A genuine defector would fear being executed for treason and would naturally ask to remain safely under David's protection. The simple fact that Abner hurried back to his own territory proves that he was acting with his king's full knowledge and as his official agent. His true purpose in visiting was merely to spy on David. Therefore, Joab concludes, allowing him to walk away freely was a grave mistake [מלבי״ם].