3 1 The war between Saul's house and David's house dragged on. David grew steadily stronger, while Saul's house grew weaker and weaker. 2 Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 his second, Chileab, by Abigail, Nabal of Carmel's widow; the third, Absalom, son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were David's sons born in Hebron.
Abner Joins David
6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner kept strengthening his position in Saul's house. 7 Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?"
8 Abner, very angry at Ish-bosheth's words, said, "Am I a dog's head loyal to Judah? Today I keep showing loyalty to your father Saul's house, his brothers and friends, and haven't handed you to David. Yet now you charge me over this woman!" a a v8 'Dog's head' was an ancient insult for a worthless traitor or enemy. 9 May our Father do the same to Abner, and more, if I do not do for David what our Father swore to him 10 —to transfer the kingdom from Saul's house and set up David's throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.
11 And Ish-bosheth could not say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
12 Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf: "Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and my hand will be with you to bring all Israel over to you."
13 David said, "Good; I'll make a covenant with you. But I require one thing: you won't see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come." 14 David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son: "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred Philistine foreskins."
15 So Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Her husband went with her, weeping as he followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner told him, "Go back." So he returned.
17 Abner spoke with Israel's elders: "You've long wanted David as king over you." 18 Now act, for our Father promised David: 'By my servant David's hand I will save my people Israel from the Philistines and all their enemies.'"
19 Abner also spoke to Benjamin, then went to Hebron to tell David all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin had agreed to do. 20 When Abner came to David at Hebron with twenty men, David held a feast for Abner and his men. 21 Abner told David, "Let me go gather all Israel to my lord the king, so they make a covenant with you and you reign over all your heart desires." So David sent Abner off, and he left in peace.
Joab Murders Abner
22 Just then David's servants and Joab returned from a raid with much plunder. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all his army arrived, he was told, "Abner son of Ner came to the king, who sent him off, and he left in peace."
24 So Joab went to the king: "What have you done? Abner came to you—why did you send him off, and now he's gone? 25 You know Abner son of Ner came to deceive you, to learn your movements and everything you're doing."
26 When Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David knew nothing. 27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside inside the gate as if to speak privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach. He died—for the blood of Joab's brother Asahel. 28 Later, when David heard, he said, "I and my kingdom are forever innocent before our Father of the blood of Abner son of Ner. 29 May it fall on Joab's head and all his father's house! May Joab's house never lack someone with a discharge or skin disease, who leans on a crutch, falls by the sword, or lacks food. 30 So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner for killing their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.
David Mourns for Abner
31 David told Joab and all the people with him, "Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner." King David walked behind the bier. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at his grave, and all the people wept. 33 The king sang this lament for Abner: "Should Abner have died as a fool dies? 34 Your hands were not bound, your feet not set in chains. You fell as one falls before the wicked." And all the people wept over him again.
35 Then all the people came to urge David to eat something while it was still day, but David swore: "May our Father do so to me, and worse, if I taste bread or anything else before sunset!"
36 All the people noticed and were pleased; everything the king did pleased all the people. 37 So that day all the people and all Israel knew the king had not willed the death of Abner son of Ner. 38 The king told his servants, "Don't you know a prince and a great man has fallen today in Israel? 39 Today, though the anointed king, I am weak, and these men, Zeruiah's sons, are too hard for me. May our Father repay the one who does evil for his evil."
