1And there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David became stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

2And sons were born to David in Hebron. And his firstborn was Amnon, the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel. 3And his second was Chileab, of Abigail of Carmel, the former wife of Nabal. And the third was Absalom, the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. 4And the fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith. And the fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital. 5And the sixth was Ithream, by Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

6And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. 7And 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?" 8And Abner was very angry over the words of Ishbosheth, and said, "Am I a dog's head of Judah? I show kindness this day to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends and have not delivered you into the hand of David. Am I a dog's head, that you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman? 9So may God do to Abner, and more also, if I do not do to David as the LORD has sworn, 10To transfer 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." 11And he could not answer Abner a word again because he feared him.

12And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, "Whose is the land?" He said, "Make your covenant with me and, behold, my hand shall be with you to bring about all Israel to you." 13And David said, "Good! I will make a covenant with you, but one thing I ask of you: You shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face." 14And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Deliver my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines." 15And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Phaltiel the son of Laish. 16And her husband went along with her, weeping behind her, to Bahurim. And Abner said to him, "Go, return!" And he returned.

17The word of Abner was with the elders of Israel, saying, "You sought for David in times past to be king over you. 18And then do it, for the LORD 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. ' " 19And 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 all that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

20And Abner came to David at Hebron, and twenty men came with him. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. 21And Abner said to David, "I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and so that you may reign over all that your heart desires." And David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

22And 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 had gone in peace. 23And Joab and all the army with him came, and they told Joab, saying, "Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away and he has gone in peace." 24And Joab came to the king and said, "What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is this, that you have sent him away and he has already gone? 25You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do."

26And Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner, who brought him again from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it. 27And Abner returned to Hebron. And Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately. And he struck him there in the belly, and he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28And afterward David heard, and said, "My kingdom and I are guiltless before the LORD forever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29Let it whirl about the head of Joab, and on all his father's house. And let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has an issue, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls on the sword, or who lacks bread." 30And Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

31And David said to Joab and to all the people with him, "Tear your clothes and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner." And King David followed the bier. 32Then they buried Abner in Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner. And all the people wept.

33And the king mourned over Abner and said, "Did Abner die like a fool dies?

34Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters; as a man falls before wicked men, so you fell." And all the people wept again over him.

35And all the people came to cause David to eat food while it was still day; David swore, saying, "So let God do to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else until the sun is down." 36And all the people took notice, and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased all the people, 37For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner. 38And the king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39And I am weak this day, though anointed king. And these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too hard for me. The LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness."