Joab tells David that Abner came not in peace, but to trick him and spy on his plans. The Hebrew word for "deceive" is pathah, meaning to entice or mislead. Joab’s warning is blunt—he’s convinced Abner can’t be trusted, no matter what he says. This verse pushes back on the idea that everyone deserves a second chance, or that old enemies can change. It also shows how fear and suspicion can shape our view of others’ motives.

If you’ve ever been burned by someone before, or found it hard to trust a former rival, you’ll understand Joab’s suspicion. This verse is about the tension between hope and caution, and the challenge of deciding when to give someone a fresh start—and when to protect yourself from being fooled again.