2 Samuel 3:1–21

Civil War

3The war between the house of Saul and the house of David ^pwas long and drawn out, with David growing stronger ^qand the house of Saul becoming weaker.

²Sons were born to David in Hebron:

his firstborn was ^rAmnon,

by Ahinoam ^sthe Jezreelite;

³his second was Chileab,

by Abigail, ^tthe widow of Nabal the Carmelite;

the third was Absalom, ^u

son of Maacah the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; ^v

⁴the fourth was Adonijah, ^w

son of Haggith;

the fifth was Shephatiah,

son of Abital;

⁵the sixth was Ithream,

by David’s wife Eglah.

These were born to David in Hebron. ^x

⁶During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner kept acquiring more power in the house of Saul. ^y7Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah ^zdaughter of Aiah, and Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

⁸Abner was very angry about Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I a dog’s head ^abwho belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I’ve been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends and haven’t handed you over to David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman! ⁹May God punish Abner and do so severely if I don’t do for David what the Lord swore to him: ¹⁰to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah ^cfrom Dan to Beer-sheba.” ¹¹Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner because he was afraid of him.

¹²Abner 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 hand all Israel over to you.”

¹³David replied, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there’s one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal ^dhere when you come to see me.”

¹⁴Then 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 100 Philistine foreskins.” ^e

¹⁵So Ish-bosheth sent someone to take her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish. ^f16Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he went back.

The Assassination of Abner

¹⁷Abner conferred with the elders of Israel: “In the past you wanted David to be king over you. ¹⁸Now take action, because the Lord has spoken concerning David: ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the power of the Philistines and the power of all Israel’s enemies.’ ”

¹⁹Abner also informed the Benjaminites and went to Hebron to inform David about all that was agreed on by Israel and the whole house of Benjamin. ^g20When Abner and 20 men came to David at Hebron, David held a banquet for him and his men.

²¹Abner said to David, “Let me now go and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you, ^hand you will rule over all you desire.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.