Although it is not stated in the text, Joab probably made up some story about David wanting Abner to return to Hebron. It is unlikely that he would have gone back simply because Joab asked him to do so.

The cistern of Sirah: this is apparently the place where the messengers caught up with Abner. According to the ancient Jewish historian Josephus, it was located about four kilometers (or two and a half miles) north of Hebron. Others identify it with a place to the northwest but a little closer to Hebron. Cisterns of various sizes and shapes were dug out of natural rock to store water from the winter rains for the dry season (May through September). They were often lined with lime plaster to make them watertight. The word translated cistern here is not the same as the one rendered pool in 2.13.

Some scholars, however, feel that this was an oasis rather than a “cistern” or a “well.” In some languages the best translation may be “a place of water called Sirah.” It is not known for sure whether Sirah was the name of a person or of some geographic feature. This name is not found elsewhere in the Old Testament.

But David did not know about it: once again the writer seems to be emphasizing David’s innocence in the coming death of Abner.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .