2 Samuel 3:1-10 ▼

1 As the war between the royal families of Saul and David dragged on, David's family became stronger and stronger, and Saul's family became weaker and weaker.

2 Sons were born to David while he was in Hebron. His first son was Amnon, [born] to Ahinoam from Jezreel.

3 The second was Chileab, [born] to Abigail (who had been Nabal's wife) from Carmel. The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah (the daughter of King Talmai) from Geshur.

4 The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.

5 The sixth was Ithream, [born] to David's wife Eglah. These sons were born to David while he was in Hebron.

6 During the war between the families of Saul and David, Abner strengthened his position in Saul's royal family.

7 Saul had a concubine named Rizpah (Aiah's daughter). Ishbosheth asked Abner, |Why did you have sex with my father's concubine?|

8 Ishbosheth's question made Abner very angry. |Have I been behaving like some Judean dog?| he asked. |Until now I've been faithful to your father Saul's family, to his relatives and friends, and I haven't handed you over to David. But now you charge me with a crime because of this woman.

9 May God strike me dead unless I do for David what the LORD had promised him with an oath:

10 'I, the LORD, will transfer the kingship from Saul's family and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.'|