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2 Samuel 3:6-21
Expanded Bible
2 Samuel 3:6-21
Expanded Bible
Abner Joins David
6 During the war between the ·supporters of Saul’s family [L house of Saul] and the ·supporters of David’s family [L house of David], Abner made himself ·a main leader [strong] ·among the supporters [L in the house] of Saul.
7 Saul once had a ·slave woman [concubine; C a secondary wife of lower status than a primary wife, but higher than a common servant] named Rizpah, who was the daughter of Aiah. Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why ·did you have sexual relations with [L have you gone in to] my father’s ·slave woman [concubine]?”
8 Abner was ·very angry [furious; in a rage] because of what Ish-Bosheth said, and he replied, “I have ·been loyal [shown kindness/faithful love] to [L the house of your father] Saul and his ·family [L brothers] and friends! I didn’t hand you over to David. ·I am not a traitor working for Judah! [L Am I a Judean dog/dog’s head for Judah?] But now you are ·saying I did something wrong with [finding fault with me/charging me with wrong regarding] this woman! 9 May God ·help [deal severely with] me if I don’t ·join David! I will make sure that what the Lord promised does happen [L …accomplish for David everything the Lord has promised him]! 10 I will ·take [transfer] the kingdom from the ·family [L the house] of Saul and ·make David king of [L establish the throne of David over] Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba [C in the far north and south of Israel]!” 11 Ish-Bosheth ·couldn’t [dared not] say anything to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
12 Then Abner sent messengers to ask David [L on his own behalf; or at his place], “·Who is going to rule the land [L Whose land is it]? Make an ·agreement [treaty; covenant] with me, and ·I will help you unite [L my hand will be with you to bring over to you] all Israel.”
13 David answered, “Good! I will make an ·agreement [treaty; covenant] with you, but I ·ask [demand/require of] you one thing. I will not ·meet with you [L allow you to see my face/in my presence] unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal to me [L when you come; C to strengthen his claim to the throne; 1 Sam. 18:26–29].” 14 Then David sent messengers to Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth, saying, “Give me my wife Michal. She was ·promised [engaged; betrothed] to me, ·and I killed a hundred Philistines to get her [L for one hundred Philistine foreskins].”
15 So Ish-Bosheth sent men to take Michal from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Michal’s husband went with her, crying as he followed her ·to [as far as] Bahurim. But Abner said to Paltiel, “Go back home.” So he went home.
17 Abner ·sent this message to [consulted/conferred with] the elders of Israel: “[L For some time now] You have been wanting to make David your king. 18 Now do it! The Lord said of David, ‘·Through [L By the hand of] my servant David, I will ·save [rescue; T deliver] my people Israel from the [L hand of the] Philistines and all their enemies.’”
19 Abner also said these things to the people of Benjamin. He then went to Hebron to tell David what the Benjaminites and Israel ·wanted [agreed] to do. 20 Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron. There David prepared a ·feast [banquet] for them. 21 Abner said to David, “·I will [Let me] go and ·bring all the Israelites [L gather all Israel] to my ·master [lord] and king. Then they will make an ·agreement [treaty; covenant] with you so you will rule over all ·Israel as you wanted [L that your soul desires].” So David let Abner go, and he left in peace.
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2 Samuel 3:6-21
New International Version
2 Samuel 3:6-21
New International Version
Abner Goes Over to David
6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner(A) had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine(B) named Rizpah(C) daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”
8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, “Am I a dog’s head(D)—on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised(E) him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.”(F) 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.”
13 “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.”(G) 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal,(H) whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”
15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband(I) Paltiel(J) son of Laish. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim.(K) Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back.
17 Abner conferred with the elders(L) of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines(M) and from the hand of all their enemies.(N)’”
19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole tribe of Benjamin(O) wanted to do. 20 When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast(P) for him and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant(Q) with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.”(R) So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
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