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.
12. And Abner sent messengers to David where he was [at Hebron], saying, Whose is the land? Make your league with me, and my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.
13. And David said, Good. I will make a league with you. But I require one thing of you: that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see me.
14. And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15. And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her [second] husband, from Paltiel son of Laish [to whom Saul had given her].
16. But her husband went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, Go back. And he did so.
17. Abner talked with the seniors of Israel, saying, In times past you sought to make David king over you.
18. Now then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and of all their enemies. [I Sam. 9:16.]
19. Abner also spoke to [the men of] Benjamin. Then [he] went to Hebron to tell David all that seemed good to Israel and the whole house of Benjamin to do.