2 Samuel 3:1-18 ▼

1 And there was a long war between the house of Saul and between the house of David. And David was going on and was strong, and the house of Saul was going on and was weak.

2 And Sons were born to David in Hebron: And his firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

3 and his second Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

4 and the fourth, Adonijah son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah son of Abital;

5 and the sixth, Ithream by Eglah wife of David. These were born to David in Hebron.

6 And it surely came to pass in the war between the house of Saul and between the house of David, that Abner had been strengthening himself in the house of Saul.

7 And Saul had a concubine, and her name was Rizpah the daughter of Aiah. And he said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to the concubine of my father?”

8 And Abner became very hot at the words of Ish-bosheth, and he said, “Is it that the head of a dog I am that is unto Judah? This day I am doing kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and I have not delivered you into the hand of David—and you charge me with iniquity concerning the woman today?

9 Thus may God do to Abner, and also more to him, if as YHWH has sworn for David, even so I do not do to him,

10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”

11 And he could not anymore answer to Abner a word, because he feared him.

12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “To whom is the land?” And saying, “Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand is with you to make turn to you all Israel.”

13 And he said, “Good, I will cut with you a covenant. But one thing I am asking of you, saying, you shall not see my face, except if to my face you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see my face.”

14 And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, saying, “Give to me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

15 And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel son of Laish.

16 And her husband went along with her, weeping behind her to Bahurim. And Abner said to him, “Go, turn back.” And he turned back.

17 And the word of Abner was with the elders of Israel, saying, “Even before also heretofore you? were seeking David for king over you?.

18 And now do it, for YHWH has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of David My servant I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’”