10:003:001 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.
10:003:002 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was
Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
10:003:003 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;
10:003:004 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth,
Shephatiah the son of Abital;
10:003:005 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born
to David in Hebron.
10:003:006 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.
10:003:007 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?
10:003:008 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?
10:003:009 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath
sworn to David, even so I do to him;
10:003:010 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.
10:003:011 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared
him.
10:003:012 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.
10:003:013 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.
10:003:014 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.
10:003:015 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from
Phaltiel the son of Laish.
10:003:016 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to
Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he
returned.
10:003:017 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying,
Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
10:003:018 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.
10:003:019 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.
10:003:020 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.
10:003:021 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.
10:003:022 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.
10:003:023 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.
10:003:024 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?
10:003:025 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.
10:003:026 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.
10:003:027 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.
10:003:028 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:
10:003:029 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.
10:003:030 So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had
slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
10:003:031 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.
10:003:032 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.
10:003:033 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a
fool dieth?
10:003:034 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.
10:003:035 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.
10:003:036 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as
whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
10:003:037 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it
was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
10:003:038 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is
a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
10:003:039 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.