2 Samuel

And there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David [became] stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

And sons were born to David in Hebron. And his first-born [was] Amnon, [the son of] Ahinoam of Jezreel.

And his second was Chileab, of Abigail of Carmel, the former wife of Nabal. And the third [was] Absalom, the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur.

And the fourth [was] Adonijah, the son of Haggith. And the fifth [was] Shephatiah, the son of Abital.

And the sixth [was] Ithream, by Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

And it happened, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.

And Saul had a concubine whose name [was] Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And [Ishbosheth] said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?

And Abner was very angry over the words of Ishbosheth, and said, [Am] I a dog's head, who shows kindness against Judah this day to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David? [Am] I a dog's head that you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman today?

So may God do to Abner, and more also, if I do not do to David as the LORD has sworn,

to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.

And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.

And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose [is] the land? He said, Cut your covenant with me, and, behold, my hand [shall be] with you, to bring about all Israel to you.

And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

And Ishbosheth sent and took her from [her] husband, from Phaltiel the son of Laish.

And her husband went along with her, weeping behind her, to Bahurim. And Abner said to him, Go, return! And he returned.

The word of Abner was with the elders of Israel, saying, You sought for David in times past [to be] king over you.

And then do [it], for the LORD has spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

And Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin. And Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and all that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

And Abner came to David at Hebron, and twenty men came with him. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who [were] with him.

And Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and so that you may reign over all that your heart desires. And David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.