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Puterea lui David creşte. Familia lui

Războiul a ţinut mult între casa lui Saul şi casa lui David. David era tot mai tare, şi casa lui Saul mergea slăbind. Lui David(A) i s-au născut fii la Hebron. Întâiul lui născut a fost Amnon, din Ahinoam(B) din Izreel; al doilea, Chileab, din Abigail din Carmel, nevasta lui Nabal; al treilea, Absalom, fiul Maachei, fata lui Talmai, împăratul Gheşurului(C); al patrulea, Adonia(D), fiul Haghitei; al cincilea, Şefatia, fiul Abitalei, şi al şaselea, Itream, din Egla, nevasta lui David. Aceştia i s-au născut lui David la Hebron.

Abner pentru David

În timpul războiului dintre casa lui Saul şi casa lui David, Abner a ţinut cu tărie la casa lui Saul. Dar Saul avusese o ţiitoare, numită Riţpa(E), fata lui Aiia. Şi Iş-Boşet a zis lui Abner: „Pentru ce ai intrat la ţiitoarea(F) tatălui meu?” Abner s-a mâniat foarte rău de cuvintele lui Iş-Boşet şi a răspuns: „Oare(G) cap de câine sunt eu şi ţin cu Iuda? Eu dau astăzi dovadă de bunăvoinţă faţă de casa tatălui tău Saul, faţă de fraţii şi prietenii lui, nu te-am dat în mâinile lui David, şi astăzi îmi bagi vină pentru un păcat făcut cu femeia aceasta? Dumnezeu să pedepsească(H) cu toată asprimea pe Abner, dacă nu voi face cum a jurat(I) Domnul lui David, 10 când i-a spus că împărăţia va fi luată de la casa lui Saul şi că scaunul de domnie al lui David va fi ridicat peste Israel şi peste Iuda, de la Dan(J) până la Beer-Şeba”. 11 Iş-Boşet n-a îndrăznit să mai răspundă o vorbă lui Abner, pentru că se temea de el. 12 Abner a trimis soli la David să-i spună din partea lui: „A cui este ţara? Fă legământ cu mine, şi mâna mea te va ajuta să întorci la tine pe tot Israelul”. 13 El a răspuns: „Bine, voi face legământ cu tine, dar îţi cer un lucru: să nu-mi vezi faţa(K) decât dacă-mi vei aduce mai întâi pe Mical(L), fata lui Saul, când vei veni la mine”. 14 Şi David a trimis soli lui Iş-Boşet, fiul lui Saul, să-i spună: „Dă-mi pe nevastă-mea Mical, cu care m-am logodit pentru(M) o sută de prepuţuri de la filisteni”. 15 Iş-Boşet a trimis s-o ia de la bărbatul ei, Paltiel(N), fiul lui Laiş. 16 Şi bărbatul ei a mers după ea plângând până la Bahurim(O). Atunci, Abner i-a zis: „Pleacă şi întoarce-te!” Şi el s-a întors. 17 Abner a stat de vorbă cu bătrânii lui Israel şi le-a zis: „Odinioară voi doreaţi să aveţi împărat pe David; 18 puneţi-l acum, căci Domnul(P) a zis despre el: ‘Prin robul Meu David voi izbăvi pe poporul Meu Israel din mâna filistenilor şi din mâna tuturor vrăjmaşilor lui’.” 19 Abner a vorbit şi lui Beniamin şi s-a dus să spună în auzul lui David la Hebron ce hotărâse Israel şi toată casa lui(Q) Beniamin. 20 A ajuns la David în Hebron, însoţit de douăzeci de oameni, şi David a dat un ospăţ în cinstea lui Abner şi a celor care erau cu el. 21 Abner a zis lui David: „Mă voi scula şi voi pleca să(R) strâng tot Israelul la domnul meu, împăratul, ca să facă legământ cu tine şi să domneşti(S) în totul după dorinţa ta”. David a dat drumul lui Abner, care a plecat în pace.

Abner este omorât de Ioab

22 Ioab şi oamenii lui David s-au întors de la urmărirea unei cete şi au adus cu ei o mare pradă. Abner nu mai era la David, în Hebron, căci David îi dăduse drumul şi plecase în pace. 23 Când a venit Ioab cu toată ceata lui, i s-a spus: „Abner, fiul lui Ner, a venit la împărat, care i-a dat drumul şi s-a dus în pace”. 24 Ioab s-a dus la împărat şi a zis: „Ce ai făcut? Abner a venit la tine. Pentru ce i-ai dat drumul şi l-ai lăsat să plece? 25 Tu cunoşti pe Abner, fiul lui Ner! A venit să te înşele, ca să-ţi pândească paşii(T) şi să ştie tot ce faci.” 26 Şi Ioab, după ce a plecat de la David, a trimis pe urmele lui Abner nişte soli care l-au adus înapoi de la fântâna fără apă Sira: David nu ştia nimic. 27 Când s-a întors Abner la Hebron, Ioab l-a tras deoparte(U) în mijlocul porţii ca să-i vorbească în taină şi l-a lovit acolo în pântece(V) şi l-a omorât, ca să răzbune moartea fratelui său Asael(W).

Plângerea lui David pentru Abner

28 David a aflat apoi şi a zis: „Nevinovat sunt eu şi împărăţia mea pe vecie înaintea Domnului de sângele lui Abner, fiul lui Ner. 29 Sângele acesta să cadă(X) asupra lui Ioab şi asupra întregii case a tatălui său! Totdeauna să fie în casa lui Ioab cineva atins de o scurgere(Y) de sămânţă sau de lepră, sau care să se rezeme în cârjă, sau să cadă ucis de sabie, sau să ducă lipsă de pâine!” 30 Astfel, Ioab şi fratele său Abişai au omorât pe Abner pentru că omorâse pe fratele lor Asael(Z) în lupta de la Gabaon. 31 David a zis lui Ioab şi întregului popor care era cu el: „Rupeţi-vă(AA) hainele, încingeţi-vă(AB) cu saci şi bociţi-vă înaintea lui Abner!” Şi împăratul David mergea în urma sicriului. 32 Au îngropat pe Abner la Hebron. Împăratul a ridicat glasul şi a plâns la mormântul lui Abner, şi tot poporul plângea.

33 Împăratul a făcut următoarea cântare de jale pentru Abner şi a zis:

„Să moară Abner cum moare(AC) un mişel?
34 N-aveai nici mâinile legate,
Nici picioarele puse în lanţuri
Ai căzut cum cade cineva înaintea celor răi!”

Şi tot poporul a plâns şi mai mult după Abner.

35 Tot poporul s-a apropiat de David ca(AD) să-l facă să mănânce ceva cât era încă ziuă, dar David a jurat zicând: „Să mă pedepsească(AE) Dumnezeu cu toată asprimea dacă voi gusta pâine sau altceva înainte de(AF) apusul soarelui!” 36 Lucrul acesta a fost cunoscut şi plăcut la tot poporul; toţi au găsit că era bine ce făcuse împăratul. 37 Tot poporul şi tot Israelul au înţeles în ziua aceea că Abner, fiul lui Ner, nu fusese ucis din porunca împăratului. 38 Împăratul a zis slujitorilor săi: „Nu ştiţi că o căpetenie, un om mare, a căzut astăzi în Israel? 39 Eu sunt încă slab, măcar că am primit ungerea împărătească, şi oamenii aceştia, fiii Ţeruiei, sunt(AG) prea puternici pentru mine. Domnul(AH) să răsplătească după răutatea celui ce a făcut răul!”

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.

And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

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;

And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

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.

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?

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?

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.

Joab Kills Abner

Now there was a long (A)war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

Sons of David

Sons were born (B)to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon (C)by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; his second, [a]Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, (D)Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king (E)of Geshur; the fourth, (F)Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.

Abner Joins Forces with David

Now it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul.

And Saul had a concubine, whose name was (G)Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you (H)gone in to my father’s concubine?”

Then Abner became very angry at the words of Ishbosheth, and said, “Am I (I)a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman? (J)May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David (K)as the Lord has sworn to him— 10 to transfer the kingdom from the [b]house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, (L)from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, “Whose is the land?” saying also, “Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you.”

13 And David said, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: (M)you shall not see my face unless you first bring (N)Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” 14 So David sent messengers to (O)Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself (P)for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, from [c]Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 Then her husband went along with her to (Q)Bahurim, [d]weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, “Go, return!” And he returned.

17 Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, “In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you. 18 Now then, do it! (R)For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David, [e]I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.’ ” 19 And Abner also spoke in the hearing of (S)Benjamin. Then Abner also went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and the whole house of Benjamin.

20 So 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. 21 Then Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and (T)gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may (U)reign over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

Joab Murders Abner

22 At that moment the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much [f]spoil with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the troops that were with him had come, they told Joab, saying, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he sent him away, and he has gone in peace.” 24 Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you; why is it that you sent him away, and he has already gone? 25 Surely you realize that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you, to know (V)your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”

26 And when Joab had gone from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it. 27 Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab (W)took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there [g]stabbed him (X)in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of (Y)Asahel his brother.

28 Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “My kingdom and I are [h]guiltless before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 (Z)Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and let there never fail to be in the [i]house of Joab one (AA)who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.” 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother (AB)Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

David’s Mourning for Abner

31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, (AC)“Tear your clothes, (AD)gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.” And King David followed the coffin. 32 So 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 sang a lament over Abner and said:

“Should Abner die as a (AE)fool dies?
34 Your hands were not bound
Nor your feet put into fetters;
As a man falls before wicked men, so you fell.”

Then all the people wept over him again.

35 And when all the people came (AF)to persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, (AG)“God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else (AH)till the sun goes down!” 36 Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people. 37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s intent to kill Abner the son of Ner. 38 Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39 And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, (AI)are too harsh for me. (AJ)The Lord shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness.”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 3:3 Daniel, 1 Chr. 3:1
  2. 2 Samuel 3:10 family
  3. 2 Samuel 3:15 Palti, 1 Sam. 25:44
  4. 2 Samuel 3:16 Lit. going and weeping
  5. 2 Samuel 3:18 So with many Heb. mss., LXX, Syr., Tg.; MT he
  6. 2 Samuel 3:22 booty
  7. 2 Samuel 3:27 Lit. struck
  8. 2 Samuel 3:28 innocent
  9. 2 Samuel 3:29 family