¶ Now there was long war¹ between² the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed³ stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

And unto David were sons born⁴ in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon⁵, of Ahinoam⁶ the Jezreelitess;

And his second, Chileab⁷, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom⁹ the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai¹⁰ king of Geshur¹¹;

And the fourth, Adonijah¹² the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner¹³ made himself strong for the house of Saul.

¶ And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah¹⁴, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore¹⁵ hast thou gone in¹⁶ unto my father's concubine?

Then was Abner¹⁷ very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head¹⁸, which against Judah do shew¹⁹ kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?

So do God²⁰ to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD²¹ hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

¶ To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan²² even to Beersheba.

And he could not answer Abner a word again, because²³ he feared him.

And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose²⁴ is the land? saying also, Make²⁵ thy league with me, and, behold, my hand²⁶ shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is²⁷, Thou shalt not see my face, except²⁸ thou first bring Michal²⁹ Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth³⁰ Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel³² the son of Laish.

And her husband went with her along weeping³⁴ behind her to Bahurim³⁵. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past³⁶ to be king over you:

Now then do it: for the LORD³⁷ hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand³⁸ 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.

And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin³⁹: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

¶ So Abner came to David⁴⁰ to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather⁴¹ all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over⁴² all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

¶ And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.

Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast⁴³ thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?

Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came⁴⁴ to deceive thee, and to know⁴⁵ thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

And when Joab was come out from David, he sent⁴⁶ messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him⁴⁷ aside in the gate to speak with him quietly⁴⁸, and smote⁴⁹ him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood⁵⁰ of Asahel his brother.

And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless⁵¹ before the LORD for ever from the blood⁵² of Abner the son of Ner:

Let it rest⁵³ on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there⁵⁴ not fail⁵⁵ from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

¶ So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner⁵⁶, because⁵⁷ he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

And David⁵⁸ said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend⁵⁹ your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier⁶⁰.

And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted⁶¹ up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth⁶²?

Thy hands⁶³ were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men⁶⁴, so fellest thou. And all the people wept⁶⁵ again over him.

And when all the people came to cause⁶⁶ David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do⁶⁷ God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the⁶⁸ sun be down.

And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them:⁶⁹ as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince⁷⁰ and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

And I am⁷¹ this day weak⁷², though anointed king; and these men the sons⁷³ of Zeruiah be too hard⁷⁴ for me: the LORD⁷⁵ shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.