2 Samuel 3:6-27

6It came about while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David that 1Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul. 7Now Saul had a concubine whose name was 2Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and 3Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” 8Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “4Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hands of David; and yet today you charge me with a guilt concerning the woman. 95May God do so to Abner, and more also, if 6as the Lord has sworn to David, I do not accomplish this for him, 107to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, 8from Dan even to Beersheba.” 11And he could no longer answer Abner a word, because he was afraid of him.

12Then Abner sent messengers to David in his place, saying, “Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.” 13He said, “Good! I will make a covenant with you, but I demand one thing of you, 9namely, 10you shall not see my face unless you 11first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see 12me.” 14So David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was betrothed 13for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from 14Paltiel the son of Laish. 16But her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her as far as 15Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” So he returned.

17Now Abner had 16consultation with 17the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past you were seeking for David to be king over you. 18Now then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘18By the hand of My servant David 19I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’” 19Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin; and in addition Abner went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to 20the whole house of Benjamin.

20Then Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. 21Abner said to David, “Let me arise and go and 21gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that 22you may be king over all that your soul desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

22And behold, 23the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, they told Joab, saying, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.” 24Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you; why then have you sent him away and he is already gone? 25You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you and to learn of 24your going out and coming in and to find out all that you are doing.”

26When Joab came out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David did not know it. 27So when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him privately, and there 25he struck him in the belly so that he died on account of the blood of Asahel his brother.