6 As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was continuing, Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul. 7 Saul had had a concubine, and her name was Rizpah the daughter of Aiah. Then Ish-Boshethd said to Abner, “Why ⌊did you have sex with⌋e my father’s concubine?” 8 ⌊Abner became very angry⌋f at the words of Ish-Bosheth, and he said, “Am I the head of a dog which is for Judah today? Do I not continue to show loyal love with the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends? I have not let you fall into the hands of David, yet you have ⌊accused me of sin with this woman⌋g today. 9 Thus ⌊may God punish Abner⌋,h ⌊if I do not accomplish what Yahweh has sworn to David⌋;i 10 specifically, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah from Dan to Beersheba!” 11 And Ish-Bosheth was no longer able to ⌊answer⌋j Abner ⌊because he feared him⌋.k

Abner Pledges Support for David

12 Abner sent messengers to David ⌊where he was⌋,l saying, “To whom does the land belong? ⌊Make your covenant with me⌋!m Look, my hand is with you to bring all of Israel over to you!” 13 Hen said, “Good. ⌊I will make a covenant with you⌋.o I am asking only one thing from you: You shall not see my face unless you bring Michal the daughter of Saul when you come to see ⌊me⌋.”p 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth the son of Saul, saying, “Give me my wife Michal whom I betrothed to myselfq for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 So Ish-Bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish.r 16 But her husband went with her, ⌊weeping all along⌋s after her as far as Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go and return.” So he returned.

17 The word of Abner ⌊came to⌋t the elders of Israel, saying, “⌊For quite some time⌋u you were seeking David as king over you. 18 So then, bring it about, because Yahweh had said to David, “Through the hand of David my servant I am about to save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.” 19 Abner also spoke ⌊privately to Benjamin⌋.v Abner also went ⌊to speak to David⌋w in Hebron, all that was good in the eyes of Israel and in the eyes of all the house of Benjamin.

20 Then Abner came to David in Hebron and with him were twenty men. David had prepared a feast for Abner and for the men who were with him. 21 And Abner said to David, “Let me get up and go and gather all of Israel to my lord the king, that they may ⌊make a covenant⌋x with you so you can reign over all which your soul desires.” So David dismissed Abner, and he left in peace.