The House of David Grows Stronger
1 The battle [was] prolonged between the house of Saul and the house of David, but David {[was] growing stronger and stronger} while the house of Saul {[was] becoming weaker and weaker}.
2
And sons [were] born to David in Hebron; his firstborn [was] Amnon by Ahinoam {from Jezreel}.
3
His second [was] Kileab by Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; the third [was] Absalom the son of Maacah, [who was] the daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur.
4
The fourth [was] Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth [was] Shephatiah the son of Abital.
5
The sixth [was] Ithream by Eglah the wife of David. These [were] born to David in Hebron.
6
As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was [continuing], Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul.
7
Saul had had a concubine, and her name [was] Rizpah the daughter of Aiah. Then [Ish-Bosheth] said to Abner, "Why {did you have sex with} my father's concubine?"
8
{Abner became very angry} at the words of Ish-Bosheth, and he said, "[Am] I the head of a dog which [is] for Judah today? Do I not continue to show loyal love with the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends? I have not let you fall into the hands of David, yet you have {accused me of sin with this woman} today.
9
Thus {may God punish Abner}, {if I do not accomplish what Yahweh has sworn to David};
10
[specifically,] to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah from Dan to Beersheba!"
11
And [Ish-Bosheth] was no longer able to {answer} Abner {because he feared him}.