2 Samuel 3:1–21

There was a long war between the people who supported Saul’s family and those who supported David’s family. The supporters of David’s family became stronger and stronger, but the supporters of Saul’s family became weaker and weaker.

David’s Sons

²Sons were born to David at Hebron. The first was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel. ³The second son was Kileab, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. The third son was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur. ⁴The fourth son was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth son was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. ⁵The sixth son was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, David’s wife. These sons were born to David at Hebron.

Abner Joins David

⁶During the war between the supporters of Saul’s family and the supporters of David’s family, Abner made himself a main leader among the supporters of Saul.

⁷Saul once had a slave woman named Rizpah, who was the daughter of Aiah. Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you have sexual relations with my father’s slave woman?”

⁸Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said, and he replied, “I have been loyal to Saul and his family and friends! I didn’t hand you over to David. I am not a traitor working for Judah! But now you are saying I did something wrong with this woman! ⁹May God help me if I don’t join David! I will make sure that what the Lord promised does happen! ¹⁰I will take the kingdom from the family of Saul and make David king of Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba!” ⁿ

¹¹Ish-Bosheth couldn’t say anything to Abner, because he was afraid of him.

¹²Then Abner sent messengers to ask David, “Who is going to rule the land? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you unite all Israel.”

¹³David answered, “Good! I will make an agreement with you, but I ask you one thing. I will not meet with you unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal to me.” ¹⁴Then David sent messengers to Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth, saying, “Give me my wife Michal. She was promised to me, and I killed a hundred Philistines to get her.”

¹⁵So Ish-Bosheth sent men to take Michal from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. ¹⁶Michal’s husband went with her, crying as he followed her to Bahurim. But Abner said to Paltiel, “Go back home.” So he went home.

¹⁷Abner sent this message to the elders of Israel: “You have been wanting to make David your king. ¹⁸Now do it! The Lord said of David, ‘Through my servant David, I will save my people Israel from the Philistines and all their enemies.’ ”

¹⁹Abner also said these things to the people of Benjamin. He then went to Hebron to tell David what the Benjaminites and Israel wanted to do. ²⁰Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron. There David prepared a feast for them. ²¹Abner said to David, “My master and king, I will go and bring all the Israelites to you. Then they will make an agreement with you so you will rule over all Israel as you wanted.” So David let Abner go, and he left in peace.