1Und es war ein langer Kampf zwischen dem Hause Sauls und dem Hause Davids. David aber nahm immer mehr zu an Macht, und das Haus Sauls nahm immer mehr ab. (2Sam 5,10)2Und es wurden David Söhne geboren zu Hebron. Sein erstgeborener Sohn war Amnon, von Ahinoam, der Jesreeliterin; (1Chr 3,1)3der zweite: Kilab, von Abigajil, der Frau des Karmeliters Nabal; der dritte: Absalom, der Sohn der Maacha, der Tochter Talmais, des Königs von Geschur; (Jos 13,13; 1Sam 25,2; 2Sam 13,1)4der vierte: Adonija, der Sohn der Haggit; der fünfte: Schefatja, der Sohn der Abital; (1Kön 1,5; 1Kön 2,13)5der sechste: Jitream, von Egla, der Frau Davids. Diese wurden David geboren zu Hebron.
Abner läuft zu David über
6Solange der Kampf währte zwischen dem Hause Sauls und dem Hause Davids, stärkte Abner das Haus Sauls. (3Mo 18,20; 2Sam 21,8)7Und Saul hatte eine Nebenfrau, die hieß Rizpa, eine Tochter Ajas. Und Isch-Boschet sprach zu Abner: Warum bist du zu meines Vaters Nebenfrau eingegangen?8Da wurde Abner sehr zornig über die Worte Isch-Boschets und sprach: Bin ich denn ein Hundskopf aus Juda? Heute erweise ich dem Hause Sauls, deines Vaters, und seinen Brüdern und Freunden Barmherzigkeit und habe dich nicht in Davids Hand gegeben, und du rechnest mir heute eine Schuld an wegen einer Frau?9Gott tue Abner dies und das, wenn ich nicht tue, wie der HERR dem David geschworen hat,10dass das Königtum vom Hause Sauls genommen und der Thron Davids aufgerichtet werde über Israel und Juda von Dan bis Beerscheba! (1Sam 7,15; 1Sam 15,28)11Da konnte er Abner kein Wort mehr antworten, so fürchtete er sich vor ihm.12Und Abner sandte Boten für sich zu David und ließ ihm sagen: Wem gehört das Land? Schließ einen Bund mit mir; siehe, meine Hand soll mit dir sein, dass ich dir ganz Israel zuführe.13David sprach: Gut, ich will einen Bund mit dir schließen. Aber eins fordere ich von dir: Du sollst mein Angesicht nicht sehen, es sei denn, du bringst zuvor Michal, Sauls Tochter, zu mir, wenn du kommst, mein Angesicht zu sehen.14Auch sandte David Boten zu Isch-Boschet, dem Sohn Sauls, und ließ ihm sagen: Gib mir meine Frau Michal, die ich erworben habe mit hundert Vorhäuten der Philister. (1Sam 18,25)15Isch-Boschet sandte hin und ließ sie wegnehmen ihrem Mann Paltiël, dem Sohn des Lajisch. (1Sam 25,44)16Und ihr Mann ging mit ihr und weinte hinter ihr her bis Bahurim. Da sprach Abner zu ihm: Kehre um und geh heim! Und er kehrte um.17Und Abner besprach sich mit den Ältesten in Israel und sprach: Ihr habt schon längst danach verlangt, dass David König über euch wäre.18So tut’s nun, denn der HERR hat von David gesagt: Durch die Hand meines Knechtes David will ich mein Volk Israel erretten aus der Hand der Philister und aller seiner Feinde.19Das tat Abner auch Benjamin kund und ging dann hin, um auch David in Hebron alles kundzutun, was Israel und das ganze Haus Benjamin für gut hielten.20Als nun Abner nach Hebron zu David kam und mit ihm zwanzig Mann, machte ihnen David ein Mahl.21Und Abner sprach zu David: Ich will mich aufmachen und hingehen, um ganz Israel zu meinem Herrn, dem König, zu sammeln, damit sie einen Bund mit dir schließen, auf dass du König seist, wie es dein Herz begehrt. Dann entließ David den Abner, sodass er hinging mit Frieden.
Abners Tod
22Und siehe, die Knechte Davids und Joab kamen von einem Streifzug zurück und brachten große Beute mit. Abner aber war nicht mehr bei David in Hebron, sondern er hatte ihn entlassen, sodass er mit Frieden weggegangen war.23Als aber Joab und das ganze Heer mit ihm gekommen war, wurde ihm angesagt, dass Abner, der Sohn Ners, zum König gekommen wäre; und der hatte ihn entlassen, sodass er mit Frieden weggegangen war.24Da ging Joab zum König hinein und sprach: Was hast du getan? Siehe, Abner ist zu dir gekommen; warum hast du ihn fortgelassen, dass er weggegangen ist?25Kennst du Abner, den Sohn Ners, nicht? Er ist gekommen, dich zu überlisten, dass er erkunde dein Kommen und Gehen und alles erfahre, was du tust.26Und als Joab von David wegging, sandte er Abner Boten nach, um ihn zurückzuholen von Bor-Sira; aber David wusste nichts davon.27Als nun Abner nach Hebron zurückkam, führte ihn Joab beiseite ins Tor, um heimlich mit ihm zu reden, und stach ihn dort in den Bauch, dass er starb, um des Blutes seines Bruders Asaël willen. (1Kön 2,5; 1Kön 2,23; 1Kön 20,10)28Als David das hernach erfuhr, sprach er: Ich und mein Königtum sind unschuldig vor dem HERRN ewiglich an dem Blut Abners, des Sohnes Ners;29es falle aber auf den Kopf Joabs und auf das ganze Haus seines Vaters, und es soll nicht aufhören im Hause Joabs, dass einer Eiterfluss und Aussatz habe oder am Stabe gehe oder durchs Schwert falle oder an Brot Mangel habe!30Joab und sein Bruder Abischai hatten Abner umgebracht, weil er ihren Bruder Asaël getötet hatte im Kampf bei Gibeon.31David aber sprach zu Joab und allem Volk, das bei ihm war: Zerreißt eure Kleider und gürtet euch den Sack um und haltet die Totenklage um Abner! Und König David folgte der Bahre.32Und als sie Abner begruben in Hebron, erhob der König seine Stimme und weinte bei dem Grabe Abners, und auch alles Volk weinte. (1Sam 30,4)33Und der König klagte um Abner und sprach: Musste Abner sterben, wie ein Frevler stirbt?34Deine Hände waren nicht gebunden, deine Füße waren nicht in Ketten gelegt. Und doch bist du gefallen, wie man vor Ruchlosen fällt. Da beweinte ihn alles Volk noch mehr.35Als nun alles Volk kam, während es noch Tag war, um David zum Essen zu bewegen, schwor David und sprach: Gott tue mir dies und das, wenn ich Brot oder sonst etwas zu mir nehme, ehe die Sonne untergeht!36Und alles Volk nahm es wahr, und es gefiel ihnen gut, wie alles, was der König tat, dem ganzen Volke wohlgefiel.37Und alles Volk und ganz Israel merkten an diesem Tage, dass es nicht vom König ausgegangen war, dass Abner, der Sohn Ners, getötet wurde.38Und der König sprach zu seinen Knechten: Wisst ihr nicht, dass an diesem Tag ein Fürst und Großer gefallen ist in Israel? (1Sam 26,15)39Ich aber bin heute noch schwach, obwohl ich zum König gesalbt bin. Aber diese Männer, die Söhne der Zeruja, sind härter als ich. Der HERR vergelte dem, der Böses tut, nach seiner Bosheit. (2Sam 2,18)
1There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.2And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel; (1Sam 25,42; 1Chr 3,1)3and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; (1Sam 27,8; 2Sam 3,2; 2Sam 13,37; 2Sam 14,32; 2Sam 15,8)4and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; (1Kön 1,5)5and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.6While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.7Now 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?” (2Sam 16,21; 2Sam 21,8)8Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “Am I a dog’s head of Judah? To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David. And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman. (1Sam 17,43)9God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what the Lord has sworn to him, (Rut 1,17; 1Sam 15,28; 1Sam 16,1; 1Sam 16,12; 1Sam 28,17; 2Sam 3,35; 1Chr 12,23)10to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.” (Ri 20,1; 1Sam 3,20; 2Sam 17,11; 2Sam 24,2; 2Sam 24,15; 1Kön 4,25)11And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.12And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf,[1] saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you.”13And he said, “Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” (1Mo 43,3; 1Sam 14,49)14Then David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid the bridal price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” (1Sam 18,25; 1Sam 18,27)15And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish.16But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” And he returned. (2Sam 16,5; 2Sam 17,18; 2Sam 19,16; 1Kön 2,8)17And Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you.18Now then bring it about, for the Lord has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’” (2Sam 3,9)19Abner also spoke to Benjamin. And then Abner went to tell David at Hebron all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin thought good to do. (1Chr 12,29)20When Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron, 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, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. (2Sam 3,12; 1Kön 11,37)22Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.23When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace.”24Then Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone?25You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.” (1Sam 29,6)
Joab Murders Abner
26When Joab came out from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it.27And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. (2Sam 2,23; 2Sam 20,9; 1Kön 2,5; 1Kön 2,32)28Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the Lord for the blood of Abner the son of Ner.29May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father’s house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” (3Mo 14,2; 3Mo 15,2; 2Sam 1,16)30So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon. (2Sam 2,23)
David Mourns Abner
31Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier. (1Mo 37,34; Jos 7,6; 1Kön 20,31)32They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.33And the king lamented for Abner, saying, “Should Abner die as a fool dies? (2Sam 1,17; 2Sam 13,12; 2Chr 35,25; Pred 2,16)34Your hands were not bound; your feet were not fettered; as one falls before the wicked you have fallen.” And all the people wept again over him.35Then all the people came to persuade 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 till the sun goes down!” (Rut 1,17; 2Sam 1,12; 2Sam 12,17)36And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people.37So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s will to put to death 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 was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!” (2Sam 16,10; 2Sam 19,22; Ps 28,4; 2Tim 4,14)
2.Samuel 3
King James Version
1Now 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.2And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;3And 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;4And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;5And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David' 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, that 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, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father' concubine?8Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog' 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?9So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;10To 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.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? saying also , Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.13And 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' daughter, when thou comest to see my face.14And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul' son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.15And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.16And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.17And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:18Now 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.19And 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.20So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.21And 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.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 was gone in peace.23When 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.24Then 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?25Thou 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.26And 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.27And 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.28And 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:29Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father' 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.30So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.31And 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.32And 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 lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?34Thy 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.35And 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.36And all the people took notice of it , and it pleased them: as whatsoever 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 slay Abner the son of Ner.38And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?39And 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.
2.Samuel 3
New International Reader’s Version
von Biblica1The war between Saul’s royal house and David’s royal house lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger. But the royal house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.2Sons were born to David in Hebron. His first son was Amnon. Amnon’s mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel.3His second son was Kileab. Kileab’s mother was Abigail. She was Nabal’s widow from Carmel. The third son was Absalom. His mother was Maakah. She was the daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur.4The fourth son was Adonijah. His mother was Haggith. The fifth son was Shephatiah. His mother was Abital.5The sixth son was Ithream. His mother was David’s wife Eglah. Those sons were born to David in Hebron.
Abner goes over to David’s side
6The fighting continued between David’s royal house and Saul’s royal house. Abner gained more and more power in the royal house of Saul.7While Saul was still alive, he had a concubine named Rizpah. She was the daughter of Aiah. Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, ‘Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?’8Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So Abner answered, ‘Do you think I’m only a dog’s head? Am I on Judah’s side? To this day I’ve been faithful to the royal house of your father Saul. I’ve been faithful to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. But now you claim that I’ve sinned with this woman!9I will do for David what the LORD promised him. If I don’t, may God punish me greatly.10I’ll take the kingdom away from Saul’s royal house. I’ll set up the throne of David’s kingdom over Israel and Judah. He will rule from Dan all the way to Beersheba.’11Ish-Bosheth didn’t dare to say another word to Abner. He was much too afraid of him.12Then Abner sent messengers to David to speak for him. They said, ‘Who will rule over this land? Make a covenant with me. Then I’ll help you bring all the Israelites over to your side.’13‘Good’, said David. ‘I will make a covenant with you. But there’s one thing I want you to do. Bring Saul’s daughter Michal to me. Don’t come to see me unless she’s with you.’14Then David sent messengers to Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth. He ordered them to say, ‘Give me my wife Michal. She was promised to me. I paid for her the price that was demanded. I paid for her with the skins of 100 circumcised Philistines.’15So Ish-Bosheth gave the order. He sent men who took Michal away from her husband Paltiel. Paltiel was the son of Laish.16But her husband followed her to Bahurim. He was crying all the way. Then Abner said to him, ‘Go back home!’ So he did.17Abner talked with the elders of Israel. He said, ‘For some time you have wanted to make David your king.18Now do it! The LORD made a promise to David. He said, “I will rescue my people Israel from the power of the Philistines. I will also rescue them from all their enemies. I will rescue them through my servant David.” ’19Abner also spoke to the people of Benjamin in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything. He told him what Israel and all the people of Benjamin wanted to do.20Abner had 20 men with him. They came to David at Hebron. So David prepared a feast for Abner and his men.21Then Abner said to David, ‘Let me go right now. I’ll gather together all the Israelites for you. After all, you are now my king and master. The people can make a covenant with you. Then you can rule over everyone you want to.’ So David sent Abner away. And he went in peace.
Joab murders Abner
22Just then David’s men and Joab came back from attacking their enemies. They brought with them the large amount of goods they had taken. But Abner wasn’t with David in Hebron anymore. That’s because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.23Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived. Then he was told that Abner, the son of Ner, had come to see the king. He was told that the king had sent Abner away. He was also told that Abner had gone in peace.24So Joab went to the king. He said, ‘What have you done? Abner came to you. Why did you let him get away? Now he’s gone!25You know what Abner, the son of Ner, is like. He came to trick you. He wanted to watch your every move. He came to find out everything you are doing.’26Then Joab left David. He sent messengers to get Abner. They brought Abner back from the well of Sirah. But David didn’t know about it.27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him to one side. He brought him into an inside room. Joab acted as if he wanted to speak to him in private. But he really wanted to get even with him. That’s because Abner had spilled the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. So Joab stabbed Abner in the stomach, and he died.28Later on, David heard about it. He said, ‘I and the people of my kingdom aren’t guilty of spilling the blood of Abner, the son of Ner. We are free of blame for ever in the sight of the LORD.29May Joab and his whole family line be held accountable for spilling Abner’s blood! May Joab’s family never be without someone who has an open sore or skin disease. May his family never be without someone who has to use a crutch to walk. May his family never be without someone who gets killed by a sword. And may his family never be without someone who doesn’t have enough to eat.’30Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner. They did it because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.31David spoke to Joab and all the people with him. He said, ‘Tear your clothes. Put on the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad. Mourn when you walk in front of Abner’s body.’ King David himself walked behind it.32Abner’s body was buried in Hebron. The king wept out loud at Abner’s tomb. So did the rest of the people.33King David sang a song of sadness over Abner. He said, ‘Should Abner have died as sinful people do?34His hands were not tied. His feet were not chained. He died as if he had been killed by evil people.’ All the people mourned over Abner again.35Then all of them came and begged David to eat something. They wanted him to eat while it was still day. But David made a promise. He said, ‘I won’t taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down. If I do, may God punish me greatly!’36All the people heard his promise and were pleased. In fact, everything the king did pleased them.37So on that day all the people there and all the Israelites understood. They knew that the king didn’t have anything to do with the murder of Abner, the son of Ner.38The king spoke to his men. He said, ‘Don’t you realise that a great commander has died in Israel today?39I’m the anointed king. But today I’m weak. These sons of Zeruiah are too powerful for me. May the LORD pay back the one who killed Abner! May he pay him back for the evil thing he has done!’
2.Samuel 3
New International Version
von Biblica1The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.2Sons were born to David in Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel;3his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;4the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;5and the sixth, Ithream the son of David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.
Abner goes over to David
6During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul.7Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, ‘Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?’8Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, ‘Am I a dog’s head – on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offence involving this woman!9May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath10and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.’11Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.12Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, ‘Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.’13‘Good,’ said David. ‘I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.’14Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, ‘Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.’15So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish.16Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, ‘Go back home!’ So he went back.17Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, ‘For some time you have wanted to make David your king.18Now do it! For the Lord promised David, “By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.” ’19Abner also spoke to the Benjaminites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole tribe of Benjamin wanted to do.20When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men.21Then Abner said to David, ‘Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.’ So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
Joab murders Abner
22Just then David’s men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.23When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace.24So Joab went to the king and said, ‘What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone!25You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing.’26Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern at Sirah. But David did not know it.27Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died.28Later, when David heard about this, he said, ‘I and my kingdom are for ever innocent before the Lord concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.29May his blood fall on the head of Joab and on his whole family! May Joab’s family never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy[1] or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food.’30(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle of Gibeon.)31Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, ‘Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner.’ King David himself walked behind the bier.32They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also.33The king sang this lament for Abner: ‘Should Abner have died as the lawless die?34Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before the wicked.’ And all the people wept over him again.35Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, ‘May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!’36All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.37So on that day all the people there and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.38Then the king said to his men, ‘Do you not realise that a commander and a great man has fallen in Israel this day?39And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!’