12 Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to turn all Israel over to you.”

13 David replied, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there’s one thing I require of you: You will not see my face unless you first bring Saul’s daughter Michalo when you come to see me.”

14 Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife Michal. I was engaged to her for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”p

15 So Ish-bosheth sent someone to take her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.q 16 Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he went back.