4. Then the people of Judah came to Hebron and anointed David king over the house of Judah.When David was informed that it was the people of Jabesh-gilead who had buried Saul,
5. he sent messengers to the people of Jabesh-gilead. "The Lord bless you," he said to them, "for doing this loyal deed for your master Saul by burying him.
6. May the Lord now show you loyal love and faithfulness. I myself will also reward you because you did this.
7. So now take courage and be brave—yes, your master Saul is dead, but the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."
8. Meanwhile, Abner, Ner’s son, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, and brought him over to Mahanaim.
9. There he made him king over Gilead, the Geshurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel.
10. Saul’s son Ishbosheth was 40 years old when he became king over Israel, and he ruled for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.
11. The amount of time David ruled in Hebron over the house of Judah totaled seven and a half years.
12. Abner, Ner’s son, along with the soldiers of Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, left Mahanaim to go to Gibeon.
13. Joab, Zeruiah’s son, and David’s soldiers also came out and confronted them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat on one side of the pool; the other sat on the opposite side of the pool.
14. Abner said to Joab, "Let’s have the young men fight in a contest before us.""All right," Joab said, "let’s do it."
15. So the men came forward and were counted as they passed by: twelve for Benjamin and Ishbosheth, Saul’s son; and twelve of David’s soldiers.
16. Each man grabbed his opponent by the head and stuck his sword into his opponent’s side so that they both fell dead together. That’s why that place is called The Field of Daggers, which is located in Gibeon.
17. A fierce battle took place that day, and Abner and the Israelite troops were defeated by David’s soldiers.
18. Now Zeruiah’s three sons were present at the battle: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as fast as a gazelle in an open field.
19. Asahel went after Abner, staying completely focused in his pursuit of Abner.
20. Abner looked behind him and said, "Is that you, Asahel?""Yes, it’s me," Asahel answered.
21. "Break off your pursuit!" Abner told him. "Fight one of the young warriors and take his gear for yourself!" But Asahel wouldn’t stop chasing him.
22. So Abner repeated himself to Asahel: "Stop chasing me. Why should I kill you? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?"
23. But Asahel wouldn’t turn back, so Abner hit him in the stomach with the back end of his spear. But the spear went through Asahel’s back. He fell down and died right there.Everyone who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died just stood there,