2 Samuel 3:7-21

7Now Saul had a concubine whose name was 1Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and 2Ish-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, “3Am 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. 94May God do so to Abner, and more also, if 5as the Lord has sworn to David, I do not accomplish this for him, 106to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, 7from 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, 8namely, 9you shall not see my face unless you 10first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see 11me.” 14So David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was betrothed 12for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from 13Paltiel the son of Laish. 16But her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her as far as 14Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” So he returned.

17Now Abner had 15consultation with 16the 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, ‘17By the hand of My servant David 18I 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 19the 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 20gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that 21you may be king over all that your soul desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.