Second Samuel Chapter 3
1 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.
2 Sons were born to David in Hebron. His first was Amnon, the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel.
3 His second was Chileab by Abigail of Carmel, the former wife of Nabal. The third was Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur.
4 The fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith. And the fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital.
5 The sixth was Ithream, by Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6 While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7 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?
8 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?
9 So may God do to Abner, and more also, if I do not do to David as the Lord has sworn,
10 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 Beersheba.
11 He could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12 Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf saying, Whose is the land? He said, Make your covenant with me and my hand will be with you to bring about all Israel to you.
13 He said, Good. I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I ask of you, that you will not see me unless you first bring Saul's daughter Michal when you come to see me.
14 David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son saying, Deliver my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for 100 foreskins of the Philistines.
15 Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16 Her husband went along with her, weeping behind her, to Bahurim. And Abner said to him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 The word of Abner was with the elders of Israel saying, you sought for David in times past to be king over you.
18 Then do it, for the Lord has spoken of David saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the Philistines, and from all their enemies.
19 Abner also spoke in the hearing⁺ of Benjamin. And Abner went also to speak in the hearing⁺ of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and all that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20 Abner came to David at Hebron, and 20 men came with him. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.
21 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.
22 Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
23 Joab and all the army with him came, and they told Joab saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.
24 Joab came to the king and said, What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is this, that you have sent him away, and he has already gone?
25 You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do.
26 Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner, who brought him again from the well of Sirah. But David did not know.
27 Abner returned to Hebron and Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately. He struck him there in the belly and he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28 After that David heard and said, my kingdom and I are guiltless before the Lord forever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
29 Let this rest on the head of Joab and on all his father's house. Let there never fail to be from the house of Joab one who has an issue with sores, or who is a leper, or who leans on a crutch, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.
30 Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31 David said to Joab and to all the people with him, Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner. Then King David followed the bier.
32 They buried Abner in Hebron and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.
33 The king mourned over Abner and said, Did Abner die like a fool dies?
34 Your hands were not bound nor your feet put into fetters. You fell like a man falls before wicked men. Then all the people wept over him again.
35 All the people came to cause David to eat food while it was still day. David swore saying, So let God do to me and more also if I taste bread or anything else until the sun is down.
36 All the people took notice and it pleased them as whatever the king did pleased all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner.
38 The king said to his servants, Do you not know that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 I am weak this day, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too hard for me. The Lord will reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.