1. THERE WAS a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
2. Sons were born to David in Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3. His second, Chileab, by Abigail widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4. The fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; 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. While there was war between the houses of Saul and David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.
7. Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?
8. Then Abner was very angry at the words of Ish-bosheth and said, Am I a dog's head [despicable and hostile] against Judah? This day I keep showing kindness and loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and his friends, and have not delivered you into the hands of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman!
9. May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David what the Lord has sworn to him,
10. To transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set the throne of David over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.
11. And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner a word, because he feared him.