2 Samuel 3:1-21 ▼

1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: and David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 Now sons were born to David in Hebron. And his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

3 and his second, Daluiah, of Abigail 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, of Abital;

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

6 It happened, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul.

7 Now Saul had a secondary wife, Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ishbaal son of Saul said to Abner, |Why have you gone in to my father's secondary wife?|

8 Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ishbaal, and said, |Am I a dog's head? Until today, is it for myself that I have been doing all these things, showing loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David? And yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman.

9 God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as the LORD has sworn to David, I do not do even so to him;

10 to transfer 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 Ishbaal could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

12 Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, |Whose is the land?| and saying, |Make an agreement with me, and look, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Israel around to you.|

13 He said, |Good. I will make a covenant with you, but one thing I require of you. That is, you shall not see my face unless you bring along Mikal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.|

14 David sent messengers to Ishbaal, Saul's son, saying, |Give me my wife Mikal, whom I betrothed to myself for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.|

15 Ishbaal sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish.

16 But her husband went with her, weeping behind her, as far as Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, |Go back.| So he went back.

17 Abner advised the elders of Israel, saying, |For some time you have wanted David to be king over you.

18 Now then do it, for the LORD has 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 spoke privately to the sons of Benjamin. And Abner also spoke privately to David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and to the whole house of Benjamin.

20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast.

21 Abner said to David, |I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires.| David sent Abner away; and he left in peace.