Dual Panel1THE war between the house of Saul and the house of David was long drawn out, David growing steadily stronger while the house of Saul became weaker.
2Sons were born to David at Hebron. His eldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel;
3his second Cileab, whose mother was Abigail widow of Nabal from Carmel; the third Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4the fourth Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith; the fifth Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital;
5and the sixth Ithream, whose mother was David's wife Eglah. These were born to David at Hebron.
6As the war between the houses of Saul and David went on, Abner gradually strengthened his position in the house of Saul.
7Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. Ishbosheth challenged Abner, “Why have you slept with my father's concubine?”
8Abner, angered by this, exclaimed, “Do you take me for a Judahite dog? Up to now I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers and friends, and I have not betrayed you into David's hands; yet you choose this moment to charge me with an offence over a woman.
9But now, so help me God, I shall do all I can to bring about what the LORD swore to do for David:
10I shall set to work to overthrow the house of Saul and to establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.”
11Ishbosheth dared not say another word; he was too much afraid of Abner.
12Abner sent envoys on his own behalf to David with the message, “Who is to control the land? Let us come to terms, and you will have my support in bringing the whole of Israel over to you.”
13David's answer was: “Good, I will come to terms with you, but on one condition: that you do not come into my presence without bringing Saul's daughter Michal to me.”
14David also sent messengers to Saul's son Ishbosheth with the demand: “Hand over to me my wife Michal for whom I gave a hundred Philistine foreskins as the bride-price.”
15Thereupon Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.
16Her husband followed her as far as Bahurim, weeping all the way, until Abner ordered him back, and he went.
17Abner conferred with the elders of Israel: “For some time past”, he said, “you have wanted David for your king.
18Now is the time to act, for this is the word of the LORD about David: ‘By the hand of my servant David I shall deliver my people Israel from the Philistines and from all their enemies.’”
19Abner spoke also to the Benjamites and then went to report to David at Hebron all that the Israelites and the Benjamites had agreed.
20When Abner, attended by twenty men, arrived, David gave a feast for him and his men.
21Abner said to David, “I shall now go and bring the whole of Israel over to your majesty. They will make a covenant with you, and you will be king over a realm after your own heart.” David dismissed Abner, granting him safe conduct.
22Just then David's men and Joab returned from a raid, bringing a great quantity of plunder with them. Abner, having been dismissed, was no longer with David in Hebron.
23Joab and the whole force with him were greeted on their arrival with the news that Abner son of Ner had been with the king and had departed under safe conduct.
24Joab went in to the king and said, “What have you done? You have had Abner here with you. How could you let him go and get clean away?
25You know Abner son of Ner: his purpose in coming was to deceive you, to learn about your movements, and to find out everything you are doing.”
26Leaving David's presence, Joab sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the Pool of Sirah; but David knew nothing of this.
27On Abner's return to Hebron, Joab drew him aside in the gateway, as though to speak privately with him, and there, in revenge for his brother Asahel, he stabbed him in the belly, and he died.
28When David heard the news he said, “In the sight of the LORD I and my kingdom are for ever innocent of the blood of Abner son of Ner.
29May it recoil on the head of Joab and on all his family! May the house of Joab never be free from running sore or foul disease, nor lack a son fit only to ply the distaff or doomed to die by the sword or beg his bread!”
30Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in battle at Gibeon.
31Then David ordered Joab and all the troops with him to tear their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn for Abner, and the king himself walked behind the bier.
32They buried Abner in Hebron and the king wept aloud at the tomb, while all the people wept with him.
33The king made this lament for Abner: Must Abner die so base a death?
34Your hands were not bound, your feet not fettered; you fell as one who falls at the hands of a criminal. The people all wept again for him.
35They came to urge David to eat something; but it was still day and he took an oath, “So help me God! I refuse to touch food of any kind before sunset.”
36The people noted this with approval; indeed, everything the king did pleased them all.
37It was then known throughout Israel that the king had had no hand in the murder of Abner son of Ner.
38The king said to his servants, “You must know that a warrior, a great man, has fallen this day in Israel.
39Anointed king though I am, I feel weak and powerless in face of these ruthless sons of Zeruiah; they are too much for me. May the LORD requite the wrongdoer as his wrongdoing deserves.”