2 Samuel 3:1-16 ▼

1 And there was war for a long time between the house of Saul and the house of David; and the house of David grew continually stronger; but the house of Saul grew continually weaker.

2 And sons were born to David in Chebron: and his first-born was Ammon the son of Achinoom the Jezraelitess.

3 And his second son was Daluia, the son of Abigaia the Carmelitess; and the third, Abessalom the son of Maacha the daughter of Tholmi the king of Gessir.

4 And the fourth was Ornia, the son of Aggith, and the fifth was Saphatia, the son of Abital.

5 And the sixth was Jetheraam, the son of Aegal the wife of David. These were born to David in Chebron.

6 And it came to pass while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abenner was governing the house of Saul.

7 And Saul had a concubine, Respha, the daughter of Jol; and Jebosthe the son of Saul said to Abenner, Why hast thou gone in to my father's concubine?

8 And Abenner was very angry with Jebosthe for this saying; and Abenner said to him, Am I a dog's head? I have this day wrought kindness with the house of Saul thy father, and with his brethren and friends, and have not gone over to the house of David, and dost thou this day seek a charge against me concerning injury to a woman?

9 God do thus and more also to Abenner, if as the Lord swore to David, so do I not to him this day;

10 to take away the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to raise up the throne of David over Israel and over Juda from Dan to Bersabee.

11 And Jebosthe could not any longer answer Abenner a word, because he feared him.

12 And Abenner sent messengers to David to Thaelam where he was, immediately, saying, Make thy covenant with me, and, behold, my hand is with thee to bring back to thee all the house of Israel.

13 And David said, With a good will I will make with thee a covenant: only I demand one condition of thee, saying, Thou shalt not see my face, unless thou bring Melchol the daughter of Saul, when thou comest to see my face.

14 And David sent messengers to Jebosthe the son of Saul, saying, Restore me my wife Melchol, whom I took for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

15 And Jebosthe sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Selle.

16 And her husband went with her weeping behind her as far as Barakim. And Abenner said to him, Go, return; and he returned.