2SA-3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the
house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the
house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2SA-3:2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his
firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
2SA-3:3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal
the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the
daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
2SA-3:4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the
fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
2SA-3:5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These
were born to David in Hebron.
2SA-3:6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the
house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself
strong for the house of Saul.
2SA-3:7 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's concubine?
2SA-3:8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth,
and said, [Am] I a dog's head, which against Judah do show
kindness 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?
2SA-3:9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD
hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
2SA-3:10 To translate 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.
2SA-3:11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he
feared him.
2SA-3:12 And Abner sent messengers 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.
2SA-3:13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but
one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face,
except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou
comest to see my face.
2SA-3:14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son,
saying, Deliver [me] my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for
an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
2SA-3:15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from [her] husband,
[even] from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
2SA-3:16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her
to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he
returned.
2SA-3:17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel,
saying, Ye sought for David in times past [to be] king over you:
2SA-3:18 Now then do [it]: for the LORD hath 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.
2SA-3:19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner
went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that
seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house
of Benjamin.
2SA-3:20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with
him. And David made Abner and the men that [were] with him a
feast.
2SA-3:21 And Abner said 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 heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in
peace.
2SA-3:22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from
[pursuing] a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but
Abner [was] not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away,
and he was gone in peace.
2SA-3:23 When Joab and all the host that [was] with him were
come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the
king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
2SA-3:24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou
done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why [is] it [that] thou hast
sent him away, and he is quite gone?
2SA-3:25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to
deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and
to know all that thou doest.
2SA-3:26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent
messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of
Sirah: but David knew [it] not.
2SA-3:27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him
aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there
under the fifth [rib], that he died, for the blood of Asahel his
brother.
2SA-3:28 And afterward when David heard [it], he said, I and my
kingdom [are] guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood
of Abner the son of Ner:
2SA-3:29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his
father's house; 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 lacketh bread.
2SA-3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he
had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
2SA-3:31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that
[were] with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth,
and mourn before Abner. And king David [himself] followed the
bier.
2SA-3:32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up
his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people
wept.
2SA-3:33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner
as a fool dieth?
2SA-3:34 Thy hands [were] not bound. nor thy feet put into
fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, [so] fellest thou.
And all the people wept again over him.
2SA-3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat
while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and
more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
2SA-3:36 And all the people took notice [of it], and it pleased
them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
2SA-3:37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day
that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
2SA-3:38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that
there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
2SA-3:39 And I [am] this day weak, though anointed king; and
these men the sons of Zeruiah [be] too hard for me: the LORD
shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
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