6. And it came to pass, while there was milchamah between the Bais Sha'ul and the Bais Dovid, that Avner was strengthening his grip on the Bais Sha'ul.
7. And Sha'ul had a pilegesh (concubine), whose shem was Ritzpah Bat Ayah; and he [Ishboshet] said to Avner, why hast thou gone in unto pilegesh avi?
8. Then was Avner very angry at the devarim of Ishboshet, and said, Am I Yehudah's rosh kelev? Today do I show chesed unto the Bais Sha'ul avicha, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the yad Dovid, and then thou chargest me today with an avon concerning this isha?
9. So do Elohim to Avner, and more also! As Hashem hath sworn to Dovid, even so I do for him [Dovid];
10. To transfer the Mamlachah from the Bais Sha'ul, and to set up the Kisse Dovid over Yisroel and over Yehudah, from Dan even to Beer-Sheva.
11. And he could not answer Avner a davar again, because he feared him.
12. And Avner sent malachim to Dovid on his behalf, saying, Whose is the eretz? Saying also, Cut thy brit with me, and, hinei, my yad shall be with thee, to bring about kol Yisroel unto thee.
13. And he [Dovid] said Tov; I will make a brit with thee; but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Bat Sha'ul, when thou comest to see my face.
14. And Dovid sent malachim to Ishboshet Ben Sha'ul, saying, Deliver ishti Michal, which I took in erusin to me for a hundred arlot (foreskins) of the Pelishtim (Philistines).
15. And Ishboshet sent, and took her from her ish, even from Phaltiel Ben Layish.
16. And her ish went with her going along weeping behind her to Bachurim. Then said Avner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17. And Avner had communication with the Ziknei Yisroel, saying, Ye sought for Dovid in times past to be melech over you;
18. Now then do it; for Hashem hath spoken of Dovid, saying, By the yad of Avdi Dovid I will save My people Yisroel out of the yad Pelishtim, and out of the yad of all their oyevim.
19. And Avner also spoke in the oznayim of Binyamin; and Avner went also to speak in the oznayim of Dovid in Chevron all that seemed tov to Yisroel, and to the kol Bais Binyamin.
20. So Avner came to Dovid to Chevron, and esrim anashim with him. And Dovid made Avner and the anashim that were with him a mishteh.
21. And Avner said unto Dovid, I will arise and go, and will gather kol Yisroel unto adoni HaMelech, that they may cut a Brit with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine lev desireth. And Dovid sent Avner away; and he went in shalom.
22. And, hinei, the avadim of Dovid and Yoav came from a raid, bringing in shalal rav (great plunder) with them; but Avner was not with Dovid in Chevron; he had sent him away, he was gone in shalom.
23. When Yoav and all the tzava that was with him were come, they told Yoav, saying, Avner Ben Ner came to HaMelech, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in shalom.
24. Then Yoav came to HaMelech, and said, What hast thou done? Hinei, Avner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?