1. Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: David prospering and growing always stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul decaying daily.
2. And sons were born to David in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon of Achinoam the Jezrahelitess:
3. And his second Cheleab of Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel: and the third Absalom the son of Maacha the daughter of Tholmai king of Gessur:
4. And the fourth Adonias, the son of Haggith: and the fifth Saphathia the son of Abital:
5. And the sixth Jethraam of Egla the wife of David: these were born to David in Hebron.
6. Now while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner the son of Ner ruled the house of Saul.
7. And Saul had a concubine named Respha, the daughter of Aia. And Isboseth said to Abner:
8. Why didst thou go in to my father's concubine? And he was exceedingly angry for the words of Isboseth, and said: Am I a dog's head against Juda this day, who have shewn mercy to the house of Saul thy father, and to his brethren and friends, and have not delivered thee into the hands of David, and hast thou sought this day against me to charge me with a matter concerning a woman?
9. So do God to Abner, and more also, unless as the Lord hath sworn to David, so I do to him,
10. That the kingdom be translated from the house of Saul, and the throne of David be set up over Israel, and over Juda from Dan to Bersabee.