2 Samuel 3:17-39 ▼

17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying: Ye sought for Dauid in times past, that he might be your king:

18 Nowe then do it: for the Lorde hath spoken of Dauid, saying: By the hande of my seruaunt Dauid, I will saue my people Israel out of the handes of the Philistines, and out of the hande of all their enemies.

19 And Abner spake in the eares of Beniamin: and afterward Abner went to speake in the eares of Dauid in Hebron all that Israel was content with and the whole house of Beniamin.

20 And so Abner came to Dauid to Hebron, hauing twentie men with him: & Dauid made him & the men that were with him a feast.

21 And Abner sayde vnto Dauid: I will vp, & go gather all Israel vnto my lorde the king, that they may make an appoyntment with thee, and that thou mayest raigne ouer all that thyne heart desireth. And when Dauid had let Abner depart, he went in peace.

22 And behold, the seruauntes of Dauid and Ioab came from the campe, and brought a great pray with them: (But Abner was not with Dauid in Hebron, for he had sent him away to depart in peace.)

23 When Ioab and al the hoast that was with him were come, men tolde Ioab, saying: Abner the sonne of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, that he is gone in peace.

24 Then Ioab came to the king, and said: What hast thou done? Behold, Abner came vnto thee, and why hast thou sent him away, and he is quyte gone?

25 Thou knowest Abner the sonne of Ner, for he came to deceaue thee, and to knowe thy outgoyng and ingoyng, and to knowe all that thou doest.

26 And when Ioab was come out from Dauid, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him againe from the well of Sira, vnknowing to Dauid.

27 And when Abner was come againe to Hebron, Ioab toke him asyde in the gate to speake with him peaceably, and smote him vnder the fyft ribbe, that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother,

28 And when afterwarde it came to Dauids eare, he sayde: I and my kingdome are giltlesse before the Lord for euer concerning the blood of Abner the sonne of Ner.

29 Let the blood fall on the head of Ioab and on all his fathers house, that the house of Ioab be neuer without one or other that hath running issues or leper, or that leaneth on a staffe, or that doth fall on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

30 (So Ioab & Abisai his brother slue Abner, because he had slayne their brother Asahel at Gibeon in battell.)

31 And Dauid sayde to Ioab and to all the people that were with him: Rent your clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourne before Abner. And king Dauid him selfe folowed the beere.

32 And when they buried Abner in Hebron, the king lift vp his voyce, & wept besyde the sepulchre of Abner, and al the people wept.

33 And the king lamented ouer Abner, and sayde: Died Abner as a foole dieth?

34 Thy handes were not bounde, nor thy feete brought into fetters of brasse: but as a man falleth before wicked children, so fellest thou. And all they that were of the people, wept yet more ouer him.

35 And when all the people came to cause Dauid eate meate whyle it was yet day, Dauid sware, saying: So do God to me and more also, if I taste bread or ought els tyll the sunne be downe.

36 And all the people wist it, and it pleased them: as whatsoeuer the king did, pleased all the people.

37 For all the people and all Israel vnderstoode that day, how that it was not the kinges deede that Abner the sonne of Ner was slayne.

38 And the king said vnto his seruauntes: Knowe ye not howe that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

39 And I am this day tender and newly annoynted king, and these men the sonnes of Zaruia be to hard for me: The Lorde rewarde the doer of euyll, according to his wickednesse.