2 Samuel 3

1The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted long, but David grew steadily stronger while the house of Saul grew steadily weaker.

2Sons were born to David in Hebron, and his firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess.

3His second, Chileab, by Abigail wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and his third, Absalom son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur.

4and the fourth, Adonijah, Haggith's son; and the fifth, Shephatiah, Abital's son.

5and the sixth, Ithream, Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

6While there was war between Saul's house and David's house, Abner was strengthening himself in Saul's house.

7Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah, and he said to Abner, "Why have you come to my father's concubine?"

8Abner grew furious over Ish-bosheth's words and said, "Am I a dog's head for Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and his friends, without handing you over into David's control—yet today you accuse me of guilt over this woman!"

9Thus may God deal with Abner, and more so, for as Yahweh swore to David, so will I deal with him.

10to shift the kingdom from Saul's house and to establish David's throne over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.

11He could no longer answer Abner a word because he feared him.

12Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, "To whom does the land belong?" saying, "Cut your covenant with me, and see, my hand will be with you to turn all Israel to you."

13He said, “Good. I will cut a covenant with you, but one thing I ask of you: you will not see my face unless you bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, before me when you come to see my face.”

14David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins."

15Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel son of Laish.

16Her husband went along with her, weeping behind her to Bahurim. Abner said to him, "Go, return!" and he returned.

17Abner discussed the matter with the elders of Israel, saying, "Even yesterday and today you have been seeking David to be king over you."

18Now then, do it, for Yahweh has spoken to David, saying, "By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies."

19Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin, and Abner also went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that was good in the eyes of Israel and in the eyes of all the house of Benjamin.

20Abner came to David at Hebron with twenty men. David prepared a banquet for Abner and the men who were with him.

21Abner said to David, "I will rise and go gather all Israel to my lord the king, so they can cut a covenant with you and you can reign over everything your soul desires." David sent Abner away, and he departed in peace.

22Just then David's servants and Joab returned from a raid carrying much plunder with them, but Abner was not with David in Hebron, because he had dismissed him and he had departed in peace.

23Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, and they told Joab, "Abner son of Ner came to the king, and he sent him away, and he went in peace."

24Joab came to the king and said, "What did you do? See, Abner came to you. Why then did you send him away, and he went on his way?"

25You know Abner son of Ner—that he came to deceive you, to learn your going out and your coming in, and to learn all that you do.

26Joab went out from David, sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah, but David did not know.

27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab led him aside to the middle of the gate to speak with him privately and struck him there in the fifth rib, so he died because of the blood of Asahel his brother.

28Afterward David heard it and said, "I and my kingdom stand innocent before Yahweh forever from the blood of Abner son of Ner."

29May it fall upon Joab's head and upon his father's entire house; and may nothing be cut off from Joab's house—not one with a discharge, not a leper, not one grasping a staff, not one struck down by the sword, not one short of bread.

30Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

31David said to Joab and all the people with him, "Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner." King David followed the bier.

32They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king raised his voice and wept at Abner's grave, and all the people wept.

33The king lamented over Abner and said, "Should Abner die the death of a fool?"

34Your hands were not bound, nor your feet confined in bronze chains. As one falls before the sons of wickedness, so you fell. Then all the people continued weeping over him.

35All the people came to make David eat bread while day still remained, but David swore, saying, “May God do thus to me and thus add more if I taste bread or anything at all before the sun sets.”

36All the people recognized it, and it was good in their eyes, as everything the king did was good in the eyes of all the people.

37All the people and all Israel knew that day that the killing of Abner son of Ner was not from the king.

38The king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and great man has fallen today in Israel?"

39I myself am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are harder than I. May Yahweh repay the evildoer according to his evil.