1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the
house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul
waxed weaker and weaker.
2 And
unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam
the Jezreelitess;
3 And
his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third,
Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4 And
the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of
Abital;
5 And
the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6 And
it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of
David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7 And
Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said
to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
8 Then
was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a
dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of
Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered
thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault
concerning this woman?
9 So
do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even
so I do to him;
10 To
translate 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 And
he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12 And
Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land?
saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with
thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13 And
he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee,
that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's
daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
14 And
David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my
wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the
Philistines.
15 And
Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from
Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16 And
her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner
unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 And
Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David
in times past to be king over you:
18 Now
then do it: for the LORD hath 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.
19 And
Abner also spake 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 that seemed good to
the whole house of Benjamin.
20 So
Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner
and the men that were with him a feast.
21 And
Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my
lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest
reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he
went in peace.
22 And,
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 was gone in peace.
23 When
Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab,
saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and
he is gone in peace.
24 Then
Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto
thee; why is it that thou
hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
25 Thou
knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy
going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
26 And
when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which
brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27 And
when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak
with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28 And
afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless
before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29 Let
it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not
fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that
leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30 So
Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother
Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31 And
David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with
him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.
And king David himself followed the bier.
32 And
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 And
the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
34 Thy
hands were not
bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest
thou. And all the people wept again over him.
35 And
when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David
sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else,
till the sun be down.
36 And
all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as
whatsoever 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 slay Abner the son of Ner.
38 And
the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great
man fallen this day in Israel?
39 And
I am this
day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too
hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his
wickedness.
