1   The war between the houses of Saul and David was long drawn out, David growing steadily stronger while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

2    ^noteSons were born to David at Hebron. His eldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3   his second Chileab, whose mother was Abigail widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4   the fourth Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith; the fifth Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital; 5   and the sixth Ithream, whose mother was David's wife Eglah. These were all born to David at Hebron.

6   As the war between the houses of Saul and David went on, Abner made his position gradually stronger in the house of Saul. 7   Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. Ishbosheth asked Abner, ‘Why have you slept with my father's concubine?’ 8   Abner was very angry at this and exclaimed, ‘Am I a baboon in the pay of Judah? ^note Up to now I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers and friends, and I have not betrayed you into David's hands; yet you choose this moment to charge me with disloyalty over this woman. 9   But now, so help me God, I will do all I can to bring about what the Lord swore to do for David: I will set to work to bring down the house of Saul and to put David on the throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.’ 11   Ishbosheth could not say another word; he was too much afraid of Abner. 12   Then Abner, seeking to make friends where he could, instead of going to David himself sent envoys with this message: ‘Let us come to terms, and I will do all I can to bring the whole of Israel over to you.’ 13   David sent answer: ‘Good, I will come to

David's rule at Hebron terms with you, but on this one condition, that you do not come into my presence without bringing Saul's daughter Michal to me.’ 14   David also sent messengers to Saul's son Ishbosheth with the demand: ‘Hand over to me my wife Michal to whom I was betrothed at the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.’ 15   Thereupon Ishbosheth sent and took her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish. 16   Paltiel followed her as far as Bahurim, weeping all the way, until Abner ordered him to go back home, and he went.

17   Abner now approached the elders of Israel and said, ‘For some time past you have wanted David for your king; 18   now is the time to act, for this is the word of the Lord about David: “By the hand of my servant David I will deliver my people Israel from the Philistines and from all their enemies.”’ 19   Abner spoke also to the Benjamites and then went on to report to David at Hebron all that the Israelites and the Benjamites had agreed. 20   When Abner was admitted to David's presence, there were twenty men with him and David gave a feast for them all. 21   Then Abner said to David, ‘I shall now go and bring the whole of Israel over to your majesty, and they shall make a covenant with you. Then you will be king over a realm after your own heart.’ David dismissed Abner, granting him safe conduct.

22   David's men and Joab returned from a raid bringing a great deal of plunder with them, and by this time Abner, after his dismissal, was no longer with David in Hebron. 23   So when Joab and his raiding party arrived, they were greeted with the news that Abner son of Ner had been with the king and had departed under safe conduct. 24   Joab went in to the king and said, ‘What have you done? Here you have had Abner with you. 25   How could you let him go? He has got clean away! You know Abner son of Ner: he came meaning to deceive you, to learn all about your movements and to find out what you are doing.’ 26   When he left David's presence, Joab sent messengers after Abner and they brought him back from the Pool of Sirah; but David knew nothing of all this. 27   On Abner's return to Hebron, Joab drew him aside in the gateway, as though to speak privately with him, and there, in revenge for his brother Asahel, he stabbed him in the belly, and he died. 28   When David heard the news he said, ‘I and my realm are for ever innocent in the sight of the Lord of the blood of Abner son of Ner. 29   May it recoil upon the head of Joab and upon all his family! May the house of Joab never be free from running sore or foul disease, nor lack a son fit only to ply the distaff or doomed to die by the sword or beg his bread!’ 30   So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in battle at Gibeon. 31   Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him to rend their clothes, put on sackcloth and beat their breasts for Abner, and the king himself walked behind the bier. 32   They

David's rule at Hebron buried Abner in Hebron and the king wept aloud at the tomb, while all the people wept with him. 33   The king made this lament for Abner:

  Must Abner die so base a death?
   34   Your hands were not bound,
  your feet not thrust into fetters;
  you fell as one who falls at a ruffian's hands.

And the people wept for him again.

35   They came to persuade David to eat something; but it was still day and he swore, ‘So help me God! I will not touch food of any kind before sunset.’ 36   The people took note of this and approved; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. 37   Everyone throughout Israel knew on that day that the king had had no hand in the murder of Abner son of Ner. 38   The king said to his servants, ‘Do you not know that a warrior, a great man, has fallen this day in Israel? 39   King though I am, I feel weak and powerless in face of these ruthless sons of Zeruiah; they are too much for me; the Lord will requite the wrongdoer as he deserves.’

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