2 Samuel 3
Common English Bible
3 The war between Saul’s house and David’s house was long and drawn out. David kept getting stronger, while Saul’s house kept getting weaker.
David’s family
2 David’s sons were born in Hebron. His oldest son was Amnon, by Ahinoam from Jezreel; 3 the second was Chileab, by Abigail, Nabal’s widow from Carmel; the third was Absalom, by[a] Maacah, who was the daughter of Geshur’s King Talmai; 4 the fourth was Adonijah, by Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, by Abital; 5 and the sixth was Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These are David’s sons that were born in Hebron.
Joab kills Abner
6 Throughout the war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner was gaining power in Saul’s house. 7 Now Saul had a secondary wife named Rizpah, Aiah’s daughter. Ishbosheth[b] said to Abner, “Why have you had sex with my father’s secondary wife?”
8 Abner got very angry over what Ishbosheth had said.
“Am I some sort of dog’s head?”[c] Abner asked. “I’ve been nothing but loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his brothers and his friends. I haven’t handed you over to David, but today you accuse me of doing something wrong with this woman. 9 May God deal harshly with me, Abner, and worse still if I don’t do for David exactly what the Lord swore to him— 10 removing the kingdom from Saul’s house and securing David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan all the way to Beer-sheba!”
11 Ishbosheth couldn’t say a single word in reply to Abner because he was afraid of him.
12 Abner sent messengers to represent him to David and to say, “Who will own the land?[d] Make a covenant with me, then I’ll help bring all Israel over to your side.”
13 “Good!” David replied. “I will make a covenant with you, but on one condition: don’t show yourself in my presence unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me.”
14 Then David sent messengers to Saul’s son Ishbosheth. “Give me my wife Michal,” he demanded. “I became engaged to her at the cost of one hundred Philistine foreskins.”
15 Ishbosheth then sent for Michal and took her from her husband Paltiel, Laish’s son. 16 Her husband went with her all the way to Bahurim, crying as he followed her.
“Go home!” Abner told him. So he went home.
17 Abner then sent word to Israel’s elders. “You’ve wanted David to be your king for some time now,” he said. 18 “It’s time to act because the Lord has said about David: I will rescue my people Israel from the power of the Philistines and all their enemies through my servant David.”
19 Abner also spoke directly to the Benjaminites. He then went to inform David in person at Hebron regarding everything that all Israel and the house of Benjamin were willing to do.
20 When Abner, along with twenty others, reached David at Hebron, David threw a celebration for Abner and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Please let me get going so I can assemble all Israel for my master the king. Then they can make a covenant with you, and you will rule over everything your heart[e] desires.” At that, David sent Abner off in peace.
22 Right then, David’s soldiers and Joab returned from a raid, bringing a great deal of loot with them. Abner was no longer with David in Hebron because David had sent him off in peace. 23 When Joab and all the troops with him returned, Joab was told that Abner, Ner’s son, had come to the king and that David had sent him off in peace.
24 Joab went to the king and asked, “What have you done? Abner came to you here! Why did you send him off? Now he’s gotten away! 25 Don’t you know the evil ways of Abner, Ner’s son?[f] He came to trick you, to find out where you come and go, and to learn everything you do!”
26 Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought him back from the well at Sirah, but David didn’t know anything of this. 27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside next to[g] the gate to speak with him in private. But instead Joab stabbed Abner in the stomach, and he died for shedding the blood of Asahel, Joab’s brother.
28 When David heard about this later, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord concerning the shedding of the blood of Abner, Ner’s son. 29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and his entire family tree! May Joab’s family never be without someone with a discharge or a skin disease,[h] someone who uses a crutch,[i] someone who dies by the sword, or someone who is hungry!”
30 So that is how Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner, because he killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.
31 Then David ordered Joab and all the troops who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on funeral clothes! Mourn for Abner!” King David himself walked behind the body. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron. The king wept loudly at Abner’s grave. All the troops cried too. 33 Then the king sang this funeral song[j] for Abner:
“Should Abner have died like a fool dies?
34 Your hands weren’t bound,
your feet weren’t chained,
but you have fallen
like someone falls before the wicked.”
Then the troops cried over Abner again.
35 Then all the soldiers came to urge David to eat something while it was still day, but David swore, “May God deal harshly with me and worse still if I eat bread or anything else before the sun goes down.” 36 All the troops took notice of this and were pleased by it. Indeed, everything that the king did pleased them. 37 So on that day all the troops and all Israel knew that it wasn’t the king’s idea to kill Abner, Ner’s son.
38 The king told his soldiers, “Don’t you know that a prince and a great man in Israel has fallen today? 39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak. These men, Zeruiah’s sons, are too strong for me.[k] May the Lord repay the one who does evil according to the evil they did!”
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 3:3 Or son of; also twice in 3:4
- 2 Samuel 3:7 Or he, supplied from 3:8; see note at 2:8 on Ishbosheth.
- 2 Samuel 3:8 LXX; MT adds that belongs to Judah.
- 2 Samuel 3:12 Heb uncertain; LXX lacks Who will own the land?
- 2 Samuel 3:21 Or soul
- 2 Samuel 3:25 LXX; MT You know Abner, Ner’s son.
- 2 Samuel 3:27 LXX; MT to the middle of
- 2 Samuel 3:29 Traditionally leprosy, a term used for several different skin diseases
- 2 Samuel 3:29 Or who holds a spindle
- 2 Samuel 3:33 Or lament
- 2 Samuel 3:39 Or more ruthless than me; DSS (4QSama) lacks this clause.
2 Samuel 3
La Biblia de las Américas
3 Hubo larga guerra(A) entre la casa de Saúl y la casa de David; pero David se iba fortaleciendo, mientras que la casa de Saúl se iba debilitando.
Hijos de David nacidos en Hebrón
2 (B)A David le nacieron hijos en Hebrón; su primogénito fue Amnón, hijo de Ahinoam(C) la jezreelita; 3 el segundo, Quileab, de Abigail, viuda[a] de Nabal de Carmel; el tercero, Absalón, hijo de Maaca, hija de Talmai, rey de Gesur(D); 4 el cuarto, Adonías, hijo de Haguit(E); el quinto, Sefatías, hijo de Abital, 5 y el sexto, Itream, de Egla, mujer de David. Estos le nacieron a David en Hebrón.
David y Abner
6 Sucedió que durante la guerra que había entre la casa de Saúl y la casa de David, Abner se fortaleció en la casa de Saúl(F). 7 Y Saúl había tenido una concubina cuyo nombre era Rizpa, hija de Aja(G); y dijo Is-boset[b] a Abner: ¿Por qué te has llegado a la concubina de mi padre? 8 Entonces Abner se enojó mucho por las palabras de Is-boset, y dijo: ¿Acaso soy yo cabeza de perro(H) que pertenece a Judá? Hoy he mostrado bondad hacia la casa de tu padre Saúl, hacia sus hermanos y hacia sus amigos, y no te he entregado en manos de David; sin embargo, tú me acusas hoy de una ofensa con esta[c] mujer. 9 Así haga Dios a Abner, y aún más(I), si lo que[d] el Señor ha jurado a David no lo obtengo para él(J): 10 transferir el reino de la casa de Saúl y establecer el trono de David sobre Israel y sobre Judá desde Dan hasta Beerseba(K). 11 Y él ya no pudo responder a Abner ni una palabra, porque le temía.
12 Entonces Abner envió mensajeros a David de su parte, diciendo: ¿De quién es la tierra? Y que dijeran también: Haz tu pacto conmigo, y he aquí, mi mano será contigo para traer a ti a todo Israel. 13 Y él respondió: Muy bien. Haré pacto contigo, pero una cosa demando de ti[e]: No verás mi rostro(L) a menos de que cuando vengas a verme[f] traigas a Mical, la hija de Saúl(M). 14 Y David envió mensajeros a Is-boset, el hijo de Saúl, diciendo: Dame a mi mujer Mical, con la cual me desposé por cien prepucios de los filisteos(N). 15 Is-boset, pues, envió a quitársela a su marido, a Paltiel[g], hijo de Lais. 16 Pero su marido fue con ella, llorando mientras iba, y la siguió hasta Bahurim(O). Entonces Abner le dijo: Ve, vuélvete. Y él se volvió.
17 Abner consultó[h] con los ancianos de Israel(P), diciendo: Hace tiempo que buscabais a David para que fuera rey sobre vosotros. 18 Ahora pues, hacedlo. Porque el Señor ha hablado acerca de David, diciendo: «Por mano de mi siervo David salvaré[i] a mi pueblo Israel de mano de los filisteos(Q) y de mano de todos sus enemigos». 19 Habló también Abner a oídos de los de Benjamín; Abner además fue a hablar a oídos de David en Hebrón de todo lo que parecía bien a[j] Israel y a toda la casa de Benjamín(R).
20 Llegó Abner adonde estaba David, en Hebrón, y con él veinte hombres. Y David preparó un banquete para Abner y los hombres que lo acompañaban. 21 Y Abner dijo a David: Me levantaré e iré a reunir a todo Israel junto a mi señor el rey para que hagan un pacto contigo(S), y seas rey sobre todo lo que tu corazón[k] desea(T). Entonces David despidió a Abner, y él se fue en paz.
22 He aquí, los siervos de David y Joab vinieron de hacer una incursión(U) trayendo consigo mucho botín; pero Abner no estaba con David en Hebrón, porque él lo había despedido y se había ido en paz. 23 Cuando llegó Joab y todo el ejército que estaba con él, le dieron aviso a Joab, diciendo: Abner, hijo de Ner, vino al rey, y él lo ha despedido y se ha ido en paz. 24 Entonces vino Joab al rey y dijo: ¿Qué has hecho? He aquí, Abner vino a ti; ¿por qué, pues, lo has despedido y él ya se ha ido? 25 Conoces a Abner, hijo de Ner, que vino a engañarte y saber de tus salidas y de tus entradas, y a enterarse de todo lo que haces(V).
La muerte de Abner
26 Y saliendo Joab de donde estaba David, envió mensajeros tras Abner, y lo hicieron volver desde el pozo de Sira; pero David no lo sabía. 27 Cuando Abner regresó a Hebrón, Joab lo llevó aparte en medio de la puerta para hablarle en privado, y allí, por causa de la sangre de Asael su hermano(W), lo hirió en el vientre y murió. 28 Cuando David lo supo después, dijo: Yo y mi reino somos inocentes para siempre delante del Señor de la sangre de Abner, hijo de Ner. 29 Caiga[l] su sangre sobre la cabeza de Joab y sobre toda la casa de su padre(X), y nunca falte en la casa de Joab quien padezca flujo, ni quien sea leproso(Y), ni quien se sostenga con báculo, ni quien muera a espada, ni quien carezca de pan. 30 Así pues, Joab y su hermano Abisai mataron a Abner porque él había dado muerte a Asael(Z), hermano de ellos, en la batalla de Gabaón.
31 Entonces David dijo a Joab y a todo el pueblo que estaba con él: Rasgad vuestros vestidos(AA), y ceñíos de cilicio, y haced duelo delante de Abner. Y el rey David iba detrás del féretro. 32 Sepultaron, pues, a Abner en Hebrón; y el rey alzó su voz(AB) y lloró junto al sepulcro de Abner, y lloró también todo el pueblo. 33 Y entonó el rey una elegía(AC) por Abner, y dijo:
¿Había de morir Abner como muere un insensato?
34 Tus manos no estaban atadas, ni tus pies puestos en grillos;
como el que cae delante de los malvados[m], has caído.
Y todo el pueblo volvió a llorar por él. 35 Entonces todo el pueblo se llegó a David para persuadirlo a[n] que comiera pan mientras aún era de día(AD); pero David juró, diciendo: Así me haga Dios y aun más, si pruebo pan o cosa alguna(AE) antes de ponerse el sol(AF). 36 Y todo el pueblo reparó en ello, y les agradó[o], pues todo lo que el rey hacía agradaba a[p] todo el pueblo. 37 Así todo el pueblo y todo Israel comprendió aquel día que no había sido el deseo del rey de que se diera muerte a Abner, hijo de Ner. 38 Entonces el rey dijo a sus siervos: ¿No sabéis que un príncipe y un gran hombre ha caído hoy en Israel? 39 Hoy soy débil, aunque ungido rey(AG); y estos hombres, hijos de Sarvia, son más duros que yo(AH). Que el Señor pague al malhechor conforme a su maldad(AI).
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 3:3 Lit., mujer
- 2 Samuel 3:7 Así en algunos mss. y versiones antiguas; en el T.M., él dijo
- 2 Samuel 3:8 Lit., la
- 2 Samuel 3:9 Lit., como
- 2 Samuel 3:13 Lit., de ti, diciendo
- 2 Samuel 3:13 Lit., a ver mi rostro
- 2 Samuel 3:15 En 1 Sam. 25:44, Palti
- 2 Samuel 3:17 Lit., tuvo una palabra
- 2 Samuel 3:18 Así en muchos mss. y versiones antiguas; en el T.M., él salvará
- 2 Samuel 3:19 Lit., era bueno a los ojos de
- 2 Samuel 3:21 Lit., alma
- 2 Samuel 3:29 Lit., Arremolínese
- 2 Samuel 3:34 Lit., hijos de maldad
- 2 Samuel 3:35 Lit., para hacer
- 2 Samuel 3:36 Lit., fue bueno a sus ojos
- 2 Samuel 3:36 Lit., era bueno a los ojos de
2 Samuel 3
King James Version
3 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.
11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18 Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30 So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
