Now there waslongwarbetweenthe houseof Sauland the houseof David: but Davidwaxed stronger and stronger, and the houseof Saulwaxedweaker and weaker. And unto Davidwere sonsbornin Hebron: and his firstbornwasAmnon, of Ahinoamthe Jezreelitess; And his second, Chileab, of Abigailthe wifeof Nabalthe Carmelite; and the third, Absalomthe sonof Maacahthe daughterof Talmaikingof Geshur; And the fourth, Adonijahthe sonof Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiahthe sonof Abital; And the sixth, Ithream, by EglahDavid's wife. Thesewere bornto Davidin Hebron. And it came to pass, while there waswarbetweenthe houseof Sauland the houseof David, that Abnermade himself strongfor the houseof Saul. And Saulhad a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughterof Aiah: and Ish-bosheth saidtoAbner, Whereforehast thou gonein untomy father's concubine? Then was Abnerverywrothforthe wordsof Ish-bosheth, and said, Am Ia dog's head, whichagainst Judahdo showkindnessthis dayuntothe houseof Saulthy father, tohis brethren, and tohis friends, and have notdeliveredthee into the handof David, that thou chargestme todaywith a faultconcerning this woman? SodoGodto Abner, and morealso, except, asthe LORDhath swornto David, evensoI doto him; To translatethe kingdomfrom the houseof Saul, and to set upthe throneof DavidoverIsraeland overJudah, from Daneven toBeer-sheba. And he couldnotanswerAbnera wordagain, because he fearedhim. And AbnersentmessengerstoDavidon his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also , Makethy leaguewithme, and, behold, my hand shall be withthee, to bring aboutallIsraeluntothee. And he said, Well; Iwill makea leaguewiththee: butonethingIrequireofthee, that is, Thou shalt notseemy face, exceptthou firstbringMichalSaul's daughter, when thou comestto seemy face. And DavidsentmessengerstoIsh-bosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wifeMichal, whichI espousedto me for a hundredforeskinsof the Philistines. And Ish-bosheth sent, and tookher from her husband, even fromPhaltielthe sonof Laish. And her husbandwentwithher alongweepingbehindher toBahurim. Then saidAbneruntohim, Go, return. And he returned. And Abnerhadcommunicationwiththe eldersof Israel, saying, Ye soughtfor Davidin timespast to be kingoveryou: Nowthen do it : forthe LORDhath spokenofDavid, saying, By the handof my servantDavidI will savemy peopleIsraelout of the handof the Philistines, and out of the handof alltheir enemies. And Abneralsospokein the earsof Benjamin: and Abnerwentalsoto speakin the earsof Davidin Hebronallthatseemed goodto Israel, and that seemed goodto the wholehouseof Benjamin. So AbnercametoDavidto Hebron, and twentymenwithhim. And DavidmadeAbnerand the menthat were withhim a feast. And AbnersaiduntoDavid, I will ariseand go, and will gatherallIsraeluntomy lordthe king, that they may makea leaguewiththee, and that thou mayest reignover allthatthine heartdesireth. And DavidsentAbneraway; and he wentin peace. And, behold, the servantsof Davidand Joabcamefrom pursuing a troop, and broughtin a greatspoilwiththem: but Abner was notwithDavidin Hebron; forhe had sent him away, and he was gonein peace. When Joaband allthe hostthat was withhim were come, they toldJoab, saying, Abnerthe sonof Nercametothe king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gonein peace. Then Joabcametothe king, and said, Whathast thou done? behold, Abnercameuntothee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? Thou knowestAbnerthe sonof Ner, thathe cameto deceivethee, and to knowthy going outand thy coming in, and to knowallthatthoudoest. And when Joabwas come outfromDavid, he sentmessengersafterAbner, which brought him againfrom the wellof Sirah: but Davidknew it not. And when Abnerwas returnedto Hebron, Joabtook him asideinthe gateto speakwithhim quietly, and smotehim thereunder the fifth rib , that he died, for the bloodof Asahelhis brother. And afterwardwhen Davidheard it , he said, Iand my kingdom are guiltlessbeforethe LORDforeverfrom the bloodof Abnerthe sonof Ner: Let it restonthe headof Joab, and onallhis father's house; and let there notfailfrom the houseof Joabone that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leanethon a staff, or that fallethon the sword, or that lackethbread. So Joaband Abishaihis brotherslewAbner, becausehe had slaintheir brotherAsahelat Gibeonin the battle. And DavidsaidtoJoab, and toallthe peoplethat were withhim, Rendyour clothes, and girdyou with sackcloth, and mournbeforeAbner. And kingDavid himself followedthe bier. And they buriedAbnerin Hebron: and the kinglifted uphis voice, and weptatthe graveof Abner; and allthe peoplewept. And the kinglamentedoverAbner, and said, DiedAbneras a fooldieth? Thy hands were notbound, northy feetputinto fetters: as a manfallethbeforewickedmen, so fellestthou. And allthe peopleweptagainoverhim. And when allthe peoplecameto cause Davidto eatmeatwhile it was yetday, Davidswore, saying, SodoGodto me, and morealso, ifI tastebread, oraught else, tillthe sunbe down. And allthe peopletook notice of it , and it pleased them: as whatsoeverthe kingdidpleasedallthe people. For allthe peopleand allIsraelunderstoodthatdaythatit wasnotof the kingto slayAbnerthe sonof Ner. And the kingsaiduntohis servants, Knowye notthatthere is a princeand a great manfallenthisdayin Israel? And I am this dayweak, though anointedking; and thesementhe sonsof Zeruiah be too hardforme: the LORDshall rewardthe doerof evilaccording to his wickedness.