1 Now there was long war betweenSaul’s
house and David’s house. David grew
stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house
grew weaker and weaker.

2 Sons were born to David in Hebron.
His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the
Jezreelitess;

3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the
wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third,
Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter
of Talmai king of Geshur;

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

5 andthe sixth,Ithream, ofEglah, David’s
wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

6 While there was war between Saul’s
house and David’s house, Abner made
himself strong in Saul’s house.

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

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

9 God do so to Abner, and more also, if,
as Yahweh has sworn to David, I don’t do
even so to him:

10 to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s
house, and to set up David’s throne over
Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to
Beersheba.”

11 He could not answer Abner another
word, because he was afraid of him.

12 Abner sent messengers to David on his
behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and
saying, “Make your alliance with me, and
behold, my hand will be with you to bring
all Israel around to you.”

13 David said, “Good. I will make a treaty
with you, but one thing I require of you.
That is, you will not see my face unless you
first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when
you come to see my face.”

14 David sent messengers to Ishbosheth,
Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one
hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

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

16 Her husband went with her, weeping
as he went, and followed her to Bahurim.
Then Abner said to him, “Go! Return!” and
he returned.

17 Abner had communication with the
elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you
sought for David to be king over you.

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

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

20 So Abner came to David to Hebron,
and twenty men with him. David made
Abner and the men who were with him a
feast.