2 Samuel 3:1-21 ▼

1 Now the war between the house of Saul (desired) and the house of David (beloved) was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 And sons were born to David (beloved) in Hebron (association): His firstborn was Amnon (faithful), by Ahinoam (my brother is delight) of Jezreel;

3 his second was Chileab [Daluia], by Abigail (my father is joy) the widow of Nabal (fool) of Carmel; his third was Absalom (my father is peace), the son of Maacah (oppression) daughter of King Talmai (furrowed) of Geshur (proud beholder);

4 his fourth was Adonijah (my lord is YHWH), the son of Haggith (festive); his fifth was Shephatiah (YHWH has judged), the son of Abital (my father is the dew);

5 and his sixth was Ithream (profit of the people), by David’s (beloved) wife Eglah (a heifer). These sons were born to David in Hebron (association).

6 During the war between the house of Saul (desired) and the house of David (beloved), Abner (my father is a lamp) had continued to strengthen his position in the house of Saul.

7 Now Saul (desired) had a concubine named Rizpah (pavement), the daughter of Aiah (falcon). So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner (my father is a lamp), “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

8 Abner (my father is a lamp) was furious over Ish-bosheth’s (man of shame) accusation. “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah (praised)?” he asked. “All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul (desired), to his brothers, and to his friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David (beloved), but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!

9 May God {Elohim} punish Abner (my father is a lamp), and ever so severely, if I do not do for David (beloved) what the LORD {YHWH} has sworn to him:

10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul (desired) and to establish the throne of David (beloved) over Israel (he wrestles with God) and Judah (praised), from Dan (He has judged) to Beersheba (well of seven).”

11 And for fear of Abner, Ish-bosheth did not dare to say another word to him (my father is a lamp).

12 Then Abner (my father is a lamp) sent messengers on his behalf to say to David (beloved), “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel (he wrestles with God) over to you.”

13 “Good,” replied David, “I will make a covenant with you. But there is one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s (desired) daughter Michal (who is like God) when you come to see me.”

14 Then David (beloved) sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth (man of shame) son of Saul (desired), “Give me back my wife, Michal (who is like God), whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine (immigrants) foreskins.”

15 So Ish-bosheth (man of shame) sent and took Michal from her husband Paltiel (Palti) son of Laish (lion).

16 Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim (young men's village). Then Abner (my father is a lamp) said to him, “Go back.” So he returned home.

17 Now Abner (my father is a lamp) conferred with the elders of Israel (he wrestles with God) and said, “In the past you⁺ sought David (beloved) as your⁺ king.

18 Now take action, because the LORD {YHWH} has said to David (beloved), ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel (he wrestles with God) from the hands of the Philistines (immigrants) and of all their enemies.’”

19 Abner (my father is a lamp) also spoke to the Benjamites (son of the right hand). Then he went to Hebron (association) to tell David (beloved) all that seemed good to Israel (he wrestles with God) and to the whole house of Benjamin.

20 When Abner (my father is a lamp) and twenty of his men came to David (beloved) at Hebron (association), David held a feast for them.

21 Then Abner (my father is a lamp) said to David (beloved), “Let me go at once, and I will gather all Israel (he wrestles with God) to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.