The war between Saul's house and David's continues. Abner quarrels with Ishbosheth and agrees to bring Israel to David, but Joab kills him in revenge. David mourns Abner publicly.
1 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 .
2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron : and 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 And the sixth , Ithream , by Eglah David's wife . These were born to David in Hebron .
6 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 .
7 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 ?
8 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 ?
9 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 .
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 .