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 show 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.

---

¹ Now there was long ^H752 war ^H4421 between the house ^H1004 of Saul ^H7586 and the house ^H1004 of David: ^H1732 but David ^H1732 waxed ^H1980 stronger ^H2390 and stronger, ^H2390 and the house ^H1004 of Saul ^H7586 waxed ^H1980 weaker ^H1800 and weaker. ^H1800

² And unto David ^H1732 were sons ^H1121 born ^{H3205 H3205} in Hebron: ^H2275 and his firstborn ^H1060 was Amnon, ^H550 of Ahinoam ^H293 the Jezreelitess; ^H3159

³ And his second, ^H4932 Chileab, ^H3609 of Abigail ^H26 the wife ^H802 of Nabal ^H5037 the Carmelite; ^H3761 and the third, ^H7992 Absalom ^H53 the son ^H1121 of Maacah ^H4601 the daughter ^H1323 of Talmai ^H8526 king ^H4428 of Geshur; ^H1650

⁴ And the fourth, ^H7243 Adonijah ^H138 the son ^H1121 of Haggith; ^H2294 and the fifth, ^H2549 Shephatiah ^H8203 the son ^H1121 of Abital; ^H37

⁵ And the sixth, ^H8345 Ithream, ^H3507 by Eglah ^H5698 David's ^H1732 wife. ^H802 These were born ^H3205 to David ^H1732 in Hebron. ^H2275

⁶ And it came to pass, while there was war ^H4421 between the house ^H1004 of Saul ^H7586 and the house ^H1004 of David, ^H1732 that Abner ^H74 made himself strong ^H2388 for the house ^H1004 of Saul. ^H7586

⁷ And Saul ^H7586 had a concubine, ^H6370 whose name ^H8034 was Rizpah, ^H7532 the daughter ^H1323 of Aiah: ^H345 and Ishbosheth said ^H559 to Abner, ^H74 Wherefore hast thou gone in ^H935 unto my father's ^H1 concubine? ^H6370

⁸ Then was Abner ^H74 very ^H3966 wroth ^H2734 for the words ^H1697 of Ishbosheth, ^H378 and said, ^H559 Am I a dog's ^H3611 head, ^H7218 which against Judah ^H3063 do shew ^H6213 kindness ^H2617 this day ^H3117 unto the house ^H1004 of Saul ^H7586 thy father, ^H1 to his brethren, ^H251 and to his friends, ^H4828 and have not delivered ^H4672 thee into the hand ^H3027 of David, ^H1732 that thou chargest ^H6485 me to day ^H3117 with a fault ^H5771 concerning this woman? ^H802

⁹ So do ^H6213 God ^H430 to Abner, ^H74 and more also, ^H3254 except, as the LORD ^H3068 hath sworn ^H7650 to David, ^H1732 even so I do ^H6213 to him;

¹⁰ To translate ^H5674 the kingdom ^H4467 from the house ^H1004 of Saul, ^H7586 and to set up ^H6965 the throne ^H3678 of David ^H1732 over Israel ^H3478 and over Judah, ^H3063 from Dan ^H1835 even to Beersheba. ^H884

¹¹ And he could ^H3201 not answer ^H7725 Abner ^H74 a word ^H1697 again, because he feared ^H3372 him.

¹² And Abner ^H74 sent ^H7971 messengers ^H4397 to David ^H1732 on his behalf, saying, ^H559 Whose is the land? ^H776 saying ^H559 also, Make ^H3772 thy league ^H1285 with me, and, behold, my hand ^H3027 shall be with thee, to bring about ^H5437 all Israel ^H3478 unto thee.

¹³ And he said, ^H559 Well; ^H2896 I will make ^H3772 a league ^H1285 with thee: but one ^H259 thing ^H1697 I require ^H7592 of thee, that is, ^H559 Thou shalt not see ^H7200 my face, ^H6440 except thou first ^H6440 bring ^H935 Michal ^H4324 Saul's ^H7586 daughter, ^H1323 when thou comest ^H935 to see ^H7200 my face. ^H6440

¹⁴ And David ^H1732 sent ^H7971 messengers ^H4397 to Ishbosheth ^H378 Saul's ^H7586 son, ^H1121 saying, ^H559 Deliver ^H5414 me my wife ^H802 Michal, ^H4324 which I espoused ^H781 to me for an hundred ^H3967 foreskins ^H6190 of the Philistines. ^H6430

¹⁵ And Ishbosheth ^H378 sent, ^H7971 and took ^H3947 her from her husband, ^H376 even from Phaltiel ^H6409 the son ^H1121 of Laish. ^{H3889 H3919}

¹⁶ And her husband ^H376 went ^H3212 with her along weeping ^{H1980 H1058} behind ^H310 her to Bahurim. ^H980 Then said ^H559 Abner ^H74 unto him, Go, ^H3212 return. ^H7725 And he returned. ^H7725

¹⁷ And Abner ^H74 had communication ^{H1961 H1697} with the elders ^H2205 of Israel, ^H3478 saying, ^H559 Ye sought ^H1245 for David ^H1732 in times ^H8543 past ^H8032 to be king ^H4428 over you:

¹⁸ Now then do ^H6213 it: for the LORD ^H3068 hath spoken ^H559 of David, ^H1732 saying, ^H559 By the hand ^H3027 of my servant ^H5650 David ^H1732 I will save ^H3467 my people ^H5971 Israel ^H3478 out of the hand ^H3027 of the Philistines, ^H6430 and out of the hand ^H3027 of all their enemies. ^H341

¹⁹ And Abner ^H74 also spake ^H1696 in the ears ^H241 of Benjamin: ^H1144 and Abner ^H74 went ^H3212 also to speak ^H1696 in the ears ^H241 of David ^H1732 in Hebron ^H2275 all that seemed ^H5869 good ^H2896 to Israel, ^H3478 and that seemed good ^H5869 to the whole house ^H1004 of Benjamin. ^H1144

²⁰ So Abner ^H74 came ^H935 to David ^H1732 to Hebron, ^H2275 and twenty ^H6242 men ^H582 with him. And David ^H1732 made ^H6213 Abner ^H74 and the men ^H582 that were with him a feast. ^H4960

²¹ And Abner ^H74 said ^H559 unto David, ^H1732 I will arise ^H6965 and go, ^H3212 and will gather ^H6908 all Israel ^H3478 unto my lord ^H113 the king, ^H4428 that they may make ^H3772 a league ^H1285 with thee, and that thou mayest reign ^H4427 over all that thine heart ^H5315 desireth. ^H183 And David ^H1732 sent ^H7971 Abner ^H74 away; ^H7971 and he went ^H3212 in peace. ^H7965

²² And, behold, the servants ^H5650 of David ^H1732 and Joab ^H3097 came ^H935 from pursuing a troop, ^H1416 and brought in ^H935 a great ^H7227 spoil ^H7998 with them: but Abner ^H74 was not with David ^H1732 in Hebron; ^H2275 for he had sent him away, ^H7971 and he was gone ^H3212 in peace. ^H7965

²³ When Joab ^H3097 and all the host ^H6635 that was with him were come, ^H935 they told ^H5046 Joab, ^H3097 saying, ^H559 Abner ^H74 the son ^H1121 of Ner ^H5369 came ^H935 to the king, ^H4428 and he hath sent him away, ^H7971 and he is gone ^H3212 in peace. ^H7965

²⁴ Then Joab ^H3097 came ^H935 to the king, ^H4428 and said, ^H559 What hast thou done? ^H6213 behold, Abner ^H74 came ^H935 unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, ^H7971 and he is quite ^H1980 gone? ^H3212

²⁵ Thou knowest ^H3045 Abner ^H74 the son ^H1121 of Ner, ^H5369 that he came ^H935 to deceive ^H6601 thee, and to know ^H3045 thy going out ^H4161 and thy coming in, ^{H4126 H3996} and to know ^H3045 all that thou doest. ^H6213

²⁶ And when Joab ^H3097 was come out ^H3318 from David, ^H1732 he sent ^H7971 messengers ^H4397 after ^H310 Abner, ^H74 which brought him again ^H7725 from the well ^H953 of Sirah: ^H5626 but David ^H1732 knew ^H3045 it not.

²⁷ And when Abner ^H74 was returned ^H7725 to Hebron, ^H2275 Joab ^H3097 took him aside ^H5186 in ^{H413 H8432} the gate ^H8179 to speak ^H1696 with him quietly, ^H7987 and smote ^H5221 him there under the fifth ^H2570 rib, that he died, ^H4191 for the blood ^H1818 of Asahel ^H6214 his brother. ^H251

²⁸ And afterward ^H310 when David ^H1732 heard ^H8085 it, he said, ^H559 I and my kingdom ^H4467 are guiltless ^H5355 before the LORD ^H3068 for ^H5704 ever ^H5769 from the blood ^H1818 of Abner ^H74 the son ^H1121 of Ner: ^H5369

²⁹ Let it rest ^H2342 on the head ^H7218 of Joab, ^H3097 and on all his father's ^H1 house; ^H1004 and let there not fail ^H3772 from the house ^H1004 of Joab ^H3097 one that hath an issue, ^H2100 or that is a leper, ^H6879 or that leaneth ^H2388 on a staff, ^H6418 or that falleth ^H5307 on the sword, ^H2719 or that lacketh ^H2638 bread. ^H3899

³⁰ So Joab ^H3097 and Abishai ^H52 his brother ^H251 slew ^H2026 Abner, ^H74 because he had slain ^H4191 their brother ^H251 Asahel ^H6214 at Gibeon ^H1391 in the battle. ^H4421

³¹ And David ^H1732 said ^H559 to Joab, ^H3097 and to all the people ^H5971 that were with him, Rend ^H7167 your clothes, ^H899 and gird ^H2296 you with sackcloth, ^H8242 and mourn ^H5594 before ^H6440 Abner. ^H74 And king ^H4428 David ^H1732 himself followed ^{H1980 H310} the bier. ^H4296

³² And they buried ^H6912 Abner ^H74 in Hebron: ^H2275 and the king ^H4428 lifted up ^H5375 his voice, ^H6963 and wept ^H1058 at the grave ^H6913 of Abner; ^H74 and all the people ^H5971 wept. ^H1058

³³ And the king ^H4428 lamented ^H6969 over Abner, ^H74 and said, ^H559 Died ^H4191 Abner ^H74 as a fool ^H5036 dieth? ^H4194

³⁴ Thy hands ^H3027 were not bound, ^H631 nor thy feet ^H7272 put ^H5066 into fetters: ^H5178 as a man falleth ^H5307 before ^H6440 wicked ^H5766 men, ^H1121 so fellest ^H5307 thou. And all the people ^H5971 wept ^H1058 again ^H3254 over him.

³⁵ And when all ^H3605 the people ^H5971 came ^H935 to cause ^H1262 David ^H1732 to eat ^H1262 meat ^H3899 while it was yet ^H5750 day, ^H3117 David ^H1732 sware, ^H7650 saying, ^H559 So do ^H6213 God ^H430 to me, and more also, ^H3254 if I taste ^H2938 bread, ^H3899 or ought ^H3972 else, till ^H6440 the sun ^H8121 be down. ^H935

³⁶ And all the people ^H5971 took notice ^H5234 of it, and it pleased ^{H3190 H5869} them: as whatsoever the king ^H4428 did ^H6213 pleased ^{H5869 H2896} all the people. ^H5971

³⁷ For all the people ^H5971 and all Israel ^H3478 understood ^H3045 that day ^H3117 that it was not of the king ^H4428 to slay ^H4191 Abner ^H74 the son ^H1121 of Ner. ^H5369

³⁸ And the king ^H4428 said ^H559 unto his servants, ^H5650 Know ^H3045 ye not that there is a prince ^H8269 and a great man ^H1419 fallen ^H5307 this day ^H3117 in Israel? ^H3478

³⁹ And I am this day ^H3117 weak, ^H7390 though anointed ^H4886 king; ^H4428 and these men ^H582 the sons ^H1121 of Zeruiah ^H6870 be too hard ^H7186 for me: the LORD ^H3068 shall reward ^H7999 the doer of evil ^H6213 according to his wickedness. ^H7451

---

¹ Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: and David waxed stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

² And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his first-born 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, of 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 in the house of Saul.

⁷ Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and `Ish-bosheth' said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?

⁸ Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head that belongeth to Judah? This day do I show kindness unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David; and yet thou chargest me this day with a fault concerning this woman.

⁹ God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Jehovah hath sworn to David, I do not even so to him;

¹⁰ to 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 Beer-sheba.

¹¹ And he could not answer Abner another word, 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 Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

¹⁵ And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish.

¹⁶ And her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return: and he returned.

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

¹⁸ now then do it; for Jehovah 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 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 covenant with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thy soul desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

²² And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, 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, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

²⁷ And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there in the body, so 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 Jehovah for ever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

²⁹ let it fall upon the head of Joab, and upon 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 by the sword, or that lacketh bread.

³⁰ So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had killed 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 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 for Abner, and said, Should Abner die as a fool dieth?

³⁴ Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: As a man falleth before the children of iniquity, so didst thou fall. And all the people wept again over him.

³⁵ And all the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David sware, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or aught 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 So 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 are too hard for me: Jehovah reward the evil-doer according to his wickedness.

---

¹ And the war is long between the house of Saul and the house of David, and David is going on and `is' strong, and the house of Saul are going on and `are' weak.

² And there are born to David sons in Hebron, and his first-born is Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess,

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

⁴ and the fourth `is' Adonijah son of Haggith, and the fifth `is' Shephatiah son of Abital,

⁵ and the sixth `is' Ithream, of Eglah wife of David; these have been born to David in Hebron.

⁶ And it cometh to pass, in the war being between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner hath been strengthening himself in the house of Saul,

⁷ and Saul hath a concubine, and her name `is' Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and `Ish-Bosheth' saith unto Abner, `Wherefore hast thou gone in unto the concubine of my father?'

⁸ And it is displeasing to Abner exceedingly, because of the words of Ish-Bosheth, and he saith, `The head of a dog `am' I -- that in reference to Judah to-day I do kindness with the house of Saul thy father, unto his brethren, and unto his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David -- that thou chargest against me iniquity concerning the woman to-day?

⁹ thus doth God to Abner, and thus He doth add to him, surely as Jehovah hath sworn to David -- surely so I do to him:

¹⁰ to cause the kingdom to pass over from the house of Saul, and to raise up the throne of David over Israel, and over Judah, from Dan even unto Beer-Sheba.'

¹¹ And he is not able any more to turn back Abner a word, because of his fearing him.

¹² And Abner sendeth messengers unto David for himself, saying, `Whose `is' the land?' saying, `Make thy covenant with me, and lo, my hand `is' with thee, to bring round unto thee all Israel.'

¹³ And he saith, `Good -- I make with thee a covenant; only, one thing I am asking of thee, that is, Thou dost not see my face, except thou dost first bring in Michal, daughter of Saul in thy coming into see my face.'

¹⁴ And David sendeth messengers unto Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, saying, `Give up my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself with a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.'

¹⁵ And Ish-Bosheth sendeth, and taketh her from a man, from Phaltiel son of Laish,

¹⁶ and her husband goeth with her, going on and weeping behind her, unto Bahurim, and Abner saith unto him, `Go, turn back;' and he turneth back.

¹⁷ And the word of Abner was with the elders of Israel, saying, `Heretofore ye have been seeking David for king over you,

¹⁸ and now, do `it', for Jehovah hath spoken of David saying, By the hand of David my servant -- to save My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.'

¹⁹ And Abner speaketh also in the ears of Benjamin, and Abner goeth also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that `is' good in the eyes of Israel, and in the eyes of all the house of Benjamin,

²⁰ and Abner cometh in unto David, to Hebron, and with him twenty men, and David maketh for Abner, and for the men who `are' with him, a banquet.

²¹ And Abner saith unto David, `I arise, and go, and gather unto my lord the king the whole of Israel, and they make with thee a covenant, and thou hast reigned over all that thy soul desireth;' and David sendeth away Abner, and he goeth in peace.

²² And lo, the servants of David, and Joab, have come from the troop, and much spoil have brought with them, and Abner is not with David in Hebron, for he hath sent him away, and he goeth in peace;

²³ and Joab and all the host that `is' with him have come, and they declare to Joab, saying, `Abner son of Ner hath come unto the king, and he sendeth him away, and he goeth in peace.'

²⁴ And Joab cometh unto the king, and saith, `What hast thou done? lo, Abner hath come unto thee! why `is' this -- thou hast sent him away, and he is really gone?

²⁵ Thou hast known Abner son of Ner, that to deceive thee he came, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou art doing.'

²⁶ And Joab goeth out from David, and sendeth messengers after Abner, and they bring him back from the well of Sirah, and David knew not.

²⁷ And Abner turneth back to Hebron, and Joab turneth him aside unto the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and smiteth him there in the fifth `rib' -- and he dieth -- for the blood of Asahel his brother.

²⁸ And David heareth afterwards and saith, `Acquitted `am' I, and my kingdom, by Jehovah, unto the age, from the blood of Abner son of Ner;

²⁹ it doth stay on the head of Joab, and on all the house of his father, and there is not cut off from the house of Joab one having an issue, and leprous, and laying hold on a staff, and falling by a sword, and lacking bread.'

³⁰ And Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner because that he put to death Asahel their brother, in Gibeon, in battle.

³¹ And David saith unto Joab, and unto all the people who `are' with him, `Rend your garments, and gird on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner;' and king David is going after the bier.

³² And they bury Abner in Hebron, and the king lifteth up his voice, and weepeth at the grave of Abner, and all the people weep;

³³ and the king lamenteth for Abner, and saith: -- `As the death of a fool doth Abner die?

³⁴ Thy hands not bound, And thy feet to fetters not brought nigh! As one falling before sons of evil -- Thou hast fallen!' and all the people add to weep over him.

³⁵ And all the people come to cause David to eat bread while yet day, and David sweareth, saying, `Thus doth God to me, and thus He doth add, for -- before the going in of the sun, I taste no bread or any other thing.'

³⁶ And all the people have discerned `it', and it is good in their eyes, as all that the king hath done is good in the eyes of all the people;

³⁷ and all the people know, even all Israel, in that day, that it hath not been from the king -- to put to death Abner son of Ner.

³⁸ And the king saith unto his servants, `Do ye not know that a prince and a great one hath fallen this day in Israel?

³⁹ and I to-day `am' tender, and an anointed king: and these men, sons of Zeruiah, `are' too hard for me; Jehovah doth recompense to the doer of the evil according to his evil.'

---

¹ And the war was long between the house of Saul and the house of David; but David became continually stronger, and the house of Saul became continually weaker.

² And to David were sons born in Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jizreelitess;

³ and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maachah, 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, of 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, Why hast thou gone in to my father's concubine?

⁸ Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, I who against Judah do shew kindness this day to 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 reproachest me this day with the fault of this woman?

⁹ So do God to Abner, and more also, if, as Jehovah has sworn to David, I do not so 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 Beer-sheba!

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 covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with thee, to turn all Israel to thee.

¹³ And he said, Well, I will make a covenant with thee; only I require one thing 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, whom I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

¹⁵ And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from [her] husband, from Phaltiel the son of Laish.

¹⁶ And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner to him, Go, return. And he returned.

¹⁷ Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David aforetime to be king over you;

¹⁸ and now do [it], for Jehovah has spoken of David, saying, By my servant David will I save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

¹⁹ And 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 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 repast.

²¹ And Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thy heart desires. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

²² And behold, the servants of David and Joab came from an expedition, and brought in a great spoil with them; but Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.

²³ And Joab and all the host that was 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 is gone in peace.

²⁴ Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came to thee; why is it [that] thou hast sent him away, and he is gone?

²⁵ Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, 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, who brought him again from the well of Sirah; but David did not know it.

²⁷ And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him secretly, and smote him there in the belly, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

²⁸ And afterwards David heard [it], and he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Jehovah for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

²⁹ let it fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that has an issue, or that is a leper, or that leans on a staff, or that falls by the sword, or that lacks bread!

³⁰ So Joab and Abishai his brother killed 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 garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David 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, Should Abner die as a fool dieth?

³⁴ Thy hands were not bound, Nor thy feet put into fetters; As a man falleth before wicked men, Fellest thou! And all the people wept again over him.

³⁵ And all the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread or aught else till the sun be down!

³⁶ And all the people remarked it, and it pleased them; as whatever the king did pleased all the people.

³⁷ And all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death.

³⁸ And the king said to 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, are too hard for me: Jehovah reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness!

---

¹ Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: and David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

² To 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, of Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

⁶ It happened, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul.

⁷ Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and [Ish-bosheth] said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?

⁸ Then was Abner very angry for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? This day do I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me this day 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 the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

¹¹ He could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

¹² Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying [also], Make your league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring about all Israel to you.

¹³ He said, Well; I will make a league with you; but one thing I require of you: that is, you shall not see my face, except you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.

¹⁴ David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I pledged to be married to me for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

¹⁵ Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish.

¹⁶ Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then said Abner 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.

²¹ Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires. David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

²² Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, 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 who was with him had come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in peace.

²⁴ Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? behold, Abner came to you; why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone?

²⁵ You 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.

²⁶ When Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah: but David didn't know it.

²⁷ When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

²⁸ Afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

²⁹ let it fall on 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 by the sword, or who lacks bread.

³⁰ So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

³¹ David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him, Tear your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. King David followed the bier.

³² 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 The king lamented for Abner, and said, Should Abner die as a fool dies?

³⁴ Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters: As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so did you fall. All the people wept again over him.

³⁵ All the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, until the sun be down.

³⁶ All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them; as whatever the king did pleased all the people.

³⁷ So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner.

³⁸ The king said to his servants, "Don't you know that there a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?

³⁹ I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evil-doer according to his wickedness."

---

¹ Now there was a long war between Saul's people and David's people; and David became stronger and stronger, but those on Saul's side became more and more feeble.

² While David was in Hebron he became the father of sons: the oldest was Amnon, son of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

³ And the second, Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom, 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, whose mother was David's wife Eglah. These were the sons of David, whose birth took place in Hebron.

⁶ Now while there was war between Saul's people and David's people, Abner was making himself strong among the supporters of Saul.

⁷ Now Saul had among his wives a woman named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Why have you taken my father's wife?

⁸ And Abner was very angry at the words of Ish-bosheth, and he said, Am I a dog's head of Judah? I am this day doing all in my power for the cause of your father Saul and for his brothers and his friends, and have not given you up into the hands of David, and now you say I have done wrong with a woman.

⁹ May God's punishment be on Abner, if I do not for David as the Lord in his oath has said,

¹⁰ And if I do not take away the kingdom from the family of Saul and make David ruler over Israel and Judah from Dan as far as Beer-sheba!

¹¹ And so great was Ish-bosheth's fear of Abner that he was not able to say a word in answer.

¹² And Abner sent men to David at Hebron, saying, Make an agreement with me, and I will give you my support in getting all Israel on your side.

¹³ And he said, It is well; I will make an agreement with you, but on one condition, which is, that when you come before me, Saul's daughter Michal is to come with you; till she comes you will not see my face.

¹⁴ And David sent men to Saul's son Ish-bosheth, saying, Give me back Michal, my wife, whom I made mine for the price of the private parts of a hundred Philistines.

¹⁵ So Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel, the son of Laish.

¹⁶ And her husband went with her as far as Bahurim, weeping while he went. Then Abner said to him, Go back. And he went back.

¹⁷ Then Abner had a talk with the chief men of Israel, saying, In the past it was your desire to make David your king: so now, do it:

¹⁸ For the Lord has said of David, By the hand of my servant David I will make my people Israel safe from the Philistines, and from all who are against them.

¹⁹ And Abner said the same things to Benjamin: and he went to David in Hebron to make clear to him what seemed good to Israel and to all the people of Benjamin.

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

²¹ And Abner said to David, Now I will go, and make all Israel come to my lord the king, so that they may make an agreement with you, and your kingdom may be as wide as your heart's desire. Then David sent Abner away and he went in peace.

²² Now the servants of David and Joab had been out attacking a band of armed men, and they came back with a great store of goods taken in the fight: but Abner was no longer in Hebron with David, for he had sent him away and he had gone in peace.

²³ When Joab and his men came, news was given them that Abner, the son of Ner, had come to the king, who had let him go away again in peace.

²⁴ Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? when Abner came to you why did you send him away and let him go?

²⁵ Is it not clear to you that Abner, the son of Ner, came with deceit to get knowledge of your going out and your coming in and of all you are doing?

²⁶ And when Joab had come out from David, he sent men after Abner, and they overtook him at the water-spring of Sirah, and made him come back with them: but David had no knowledge of it.

²⁷ And when Abner was back in Hebron, Joab took him on one side by the doorway of the town to have a word with him quietly, and there he gave him a wound in the stomach, causing his death in payment for the death of his brother Asahel.

²⁸ And when David had word of it he said, May I and my kingdom be clear for ever in the eyes of the Lord from the blood of Abner, the son of Ner:

²⁹ May it come on the head of Joab and all his father's family: among the men of Joab's family may there ever be some who are diseased or lepers, or who do the work of women, or are put to the sword, or are wasted from need of food!

³⁰ So Joab and Abishai his brother put Abner to death, because he had put to death their brother Asahel in the fight at Gibeon.

³¹ And David said to Joab and all the people who were with him, Go in grief and put haircloth about you, in sorrow for Abner. And King David went after the dead body.

³² And they put Abner's body to rest in Hebron; and the king and all the people were weeping loudly by the resting-place of Abner's body.

³³ And the king made a song of grief for Abner and said, Was the death of Abner to be like the death of a foolish man?

³⁴ Your hands were free, your feet were not chained: like the downfall of a man before evil men, so was your fall. And the weeping of the people over him went on again.

³⁵ And the people came to make David take food, while it was still day, but David with an oath said, May God's punishment be on me if I take a taste of bread or any other thing till the sun has gone down!

³⁶ And all the people took note of it and were pleased: like everything the king did, it was pleasing to the people.

³⁷ So it was clear to Israel and to all the people on that day that the king was not responsible for the death of Abner, the son of Ner.

³⁸ And the king said to his servants, Do you not see that a chief and a great man has come to his end today in Israel?

³⁹ While I, though I am crowned king, have little strength, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are out of my control: may the Lord give to the evil-doer the reward of his evil-doing!