1
Now there was longwar between the house of Saul and the house of David: but Davidwaxedstronger and stronger, and the house of Saulwaxedweaker and weaker.
7
And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father'sconcubine?
8
Then was Abnerverywroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog'shead, which against Judah do shewkindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
12
And Abnersentmessengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land?saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13
And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but onething I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou firstbringMichalSaul'sdaughter, when thou comest to see my face.
18
Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David,saying, By the hand of my servantDavid I will save my peopleIsrael out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
19
And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abnerwent also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemedgood to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
21
And Abnersaid unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heartdesireth. And DavidsentAbneraway; and he went in peace.
22
And, behold, the servants of David and Joabcame from pursuing a troop, and brought in a greatspoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
23
When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they toldJoab,saying, Abner the son of Nercame to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron,Joab took him asideinthegate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
29
Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father'shouse; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lackethbread.
31
And Davidsaid to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mournbeforeAbner. And kingDavid himself followed* the bier.
35
And when all the peoplecame to causeDavid to eatmeat while it was yetday,Davidsware, saying, So doGod to me, and more also, if I tastebread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
39
And I am this dayweak, though anointedking; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.