1 N ow there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. Sons of David

Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; and David grew steadily stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker continually.

2 S ons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

Sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

3 h is second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;

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;

4 t he fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

5 a nd the sixth, Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron. Abner Joins Forces with David

and the sixth, Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David at Hebron. Abner Joins David

6 N ow it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul.

It came about while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David that Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.

7 A nd Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

8 T hen Abner became very angry at the words of Ishbosheth, and said, “ Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman?

Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “ Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness 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.

9 M ay God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as the Lord has sworn to him—

May God do so to Abner, and more also, if as the Lord has sworn to David, I do not accomplish this for him,

10 t o transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”

to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”

11 A nd he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

And he could no longer answer Abner a word, because he was afraid of him.

12 T hen Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, “Whose is the land?” saying also, “Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you.”

Then Abner sent messengers to David in his place, saying, “Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”

13 A nd David said, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.”

He said, “Good! I will make a covenant with you, but I demand one thing of you, namely, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see me.”

14 S o David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

So David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was betrothed for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

15 A nd Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish.

Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish.

16 T hen her husband went along with her to Bahurim, weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, “Go, return!” And he returned.

But her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her as far as Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” So he returned.

17 N ow Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, “In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you.

Now Abner had consultation with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past you were seeking for David to be king over you.

18 N ow then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.’”

Now then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘ By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’”

19 A nd Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin. Then Abner also went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and the whole house of Benjamin.

Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin; and in addition Abner went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin.

20 S o Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.

Then Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.

21 T hen Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. Joab Murders Abner

Abner said to David, “Let me arise and go and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may be king over all that your soul desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

22 A t that moment the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.

And behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.

23 W hen Joab and all the troops that were with him had come, they told Joab, saying, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he sent him away, and he has gone in peace.”

When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, they told Joab, saying, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.”

24 T hen Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you; why is it that you sent him away, and he has already gone?

Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you; why then have you sent him away and he is already gone?

25 S urely you realize that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you, to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”

You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you and to learn of your going out and coming in and to find out all that you are doing.” Joab Murders Abner

26 A nd when Joab had gone from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it.

When Joab came out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David did not know it.

27 N ow when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.

So when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took 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.

28 A fterward, when David heard it, he said, “My kingdom and I are guiltless before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

Afterward when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are innocent before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

29 L et it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”

May it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and may there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who takes hold of a distaff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”

30 S o Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. David’s Mourning for Abner

So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon. David Mourns Abner

31 T hen David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.” And King David followed the coffin.

Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “ Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier.

32 S o they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.

Thus they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.

33 A nd the king sang a lament over Abner and said: “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

The king chanted a lament for Abner and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

34 Y our hands were not bound Nor your feet put into fetters; As a man falls before wicked men, so you fell.” Then all the people wept over him again.

“Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put in fetters; As one falls before the wicked, you have fallen.” And all the people wept again over him.

35 A nd when all the people came to persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!”

Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was still day; but David vowed, saying, “ May God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down.”

36 N ow all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people.

Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, just as everything the king did pleased all the people.

37 F or all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s intent to kill Abner the son of Ner.

So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the will of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death.

38 T hen the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?

Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?

39 A nd I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too harsh for me. The Lord shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness.”

I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too difficult for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil.”