3
and his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;
8
Then Abner was veryangryover the words of Ish-bosheth and said, "Am I a dog'shead that belongs to Judah? Today I showkindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hands of David; and yet today you charge me with a guilt concerning the woman.
12
Then Abnersentmessengers to David in his place, saying, "Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bringallIsraelover to you."
13
He said, "Good! I will make a covenant with you, but I demandonething of you, namely, you shall not see my faceunless* you firstbringMichal, Saul'sdaughter, when you come to see me."
14
So Davidsentmessengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul'sson, saying, "Give me my wifeMichal, to whom I was betrothed for a hundredforeskins of the Philistines."
18
"Now then, do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, 'By the hand of My servantDavid I will save My peopleIsrael from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.' "
19
Abneralsospoke in the hearing of Benjamin; and in additionAbnerwent to speak in the hearing of David in Hebronall that seemed good to Israel and to the wholehouse of Benjamin.
21
Abnersaid to David, "Let me arise and go and gatherallIsrael to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may be king over all that your souldesires." So DavidsentAbneraway, and he went in peace.
22
And behold, the servants of David and Joabcame from a raid and broughtmuchspoil with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
23
When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, they toldJoab, saying, "Abner the son of Nercame to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace."
27
So when Abnerreturned to Hebron, Joabtook him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the belly so that he died on account of the blood of Asahel his brother.
29
"May it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father'shouse; and may there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who takeshold of a distaff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacksbread."
31
Then Davidsaid to Joab and to all the peoplewho were with him, "Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lamentbeforeAbner." And KingDavidwalkedbehind the bier.
35
Then all the peoplecame to persuade David to eatbread while it was stillday; but Davidvowed, saying, "May Goddoso to me, and more also, if* I tastebreadoranythingelsebefore the sungoes down."
39
"I am weaktoday, though anointedking; and thesemen the sons of Zeruiah are toodifficult for me. May the LORDrepay the evildoer according to his evil."