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Now there
was long war between the house of Saul and the
house of David: but David waxed stronger and
stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and
weaker.
02 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and
his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the
Jezreelitess;
03 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;
04 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;
and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
05 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife.
These were born to David in Hebron.
06 And it came to pass, while there was war
between the house of Saul and the house of David,
that Abner made himself strong for the house of
Saul.
07 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was
Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said
to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my
father's concubine?
08 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of
Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which
against Judah do shew 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?
09 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as
the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to
him;
10 To translate the kingdom from the house of
Saul, and to set up the throne of David over
Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to
Beersheba.
11 And he could not answer Abner a word again,
because he feared him.
12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his
behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also,
Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand
shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel
unto thee.
13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with
thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is,
Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first
bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to
see my face.
14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's
son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I
espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the
Philistines.
15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her
husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her along weeping
behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him,
Go, return. And he returned.
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of
Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past
to be king over you:
18 Now then do it: for the Lord hath 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 And Abner also spake 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
that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty
men with him. And David made Abner and the men
that were with him a feast.
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21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and
go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the
king, that they may make a league with thee, and
that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart
desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went
in peace.
22 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.
23 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.
24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What
hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why
is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is
quite gone?
25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he
came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out
and thy coming in, and to know all that thou
doest.
26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent
messengers after Abner, which brought him again
from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab
took him aside in the gate to speak with him
quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib,
that he died, for the blood of Asahel his
brother.
28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I
and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for
ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all
his father's house; and let there not fail 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.
30 So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner,
because he had slain their brother Asahel at
Gibeon in the battle.
31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people
that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird
you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And
king David himself followed the bier.
32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king
lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of
Abner; and all the people wept.
33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said,
Died Abner as a fool dieth?
34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put
into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men,
so fellest thou. And all the people wept again
over him.
35 And when all the people came to cause David to
eat meat while it was yet day, David sware,
saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I
taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it
pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased
all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood
that day that it was not of the king to slay
Abner the son of Ner.
38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye
not that there is a prince and a great man fallen
this day in Israel?
39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king;
and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for
me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil
according to his wickedness.
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