2 Samuel 3:6-21

International Standard Version

⁶ While war continued between the dynasties of Saul and David, Abner was growing in influence within the dynasty of Saul. ⁷ Meanwhile, Saul had a mistress^[a] named Rizpah, who was the^[b] daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth^[c] asked Abner, “Why did you have sex with my father’s mistress?”

⁸ What Ish-bosheth^[d] said made Abner furious, so he replied, “A dog’s head for Judah—is that what I am? Up until today I’ve kept on showing loyalty to your father Saul’s dynasty, to his relatives and friends, and I haven’t turned you over to David, but you’re charging me today with moral guilt regarding this woman! ⁹ Therefore may God do to me^[e]—and more also!—just as the Lord has promised to David, since I’m doing this for him: ¹⁰ I will take away the kingdom from the dynasty of Saul by making the throne of David firm over Israel and Judah—from Dan to Beer-sheba!”

¹¹ Ish-bosheth^[f] couldn’t say another word in response to Abner, because he was terrified of him. ¹² So Abner sent messengers to David at Hebron to ask him, “Who owns this land? Cut a deal^[g] with me, and look!—I’ll lend my hand in bringing all of Israel over to you!”

¹³ David replied, “Sounds good to me! I’ll cut a deal^[h] with you under one condition: you’re not to show yourself in my presence unless you bring Saul’s daughter with you when you come to see me.” ¹⁴ Then David sent a delegation to Saul’s son Ish-bosheth to say, “Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was engaged with a dowry of 100 Philistine foreskins.”^[i]

¹⁵ So Ish-bosheth ordered that she be taken away from her husband, Laish’s son Paltiel. ¹⁶ Her husband accompanied her, crying as he followed after her all the way to Bahurim, where Abner told him, “Leave! Go back!” So he went back.

David’s Dynasty is Strengthened

¹⁷ Later, Abner had a talk with the elders of Israel. He said, “In the past you were looking to see David made king over you. ¹⁸ So do it, then! Because the Lord has said this about David:

¹⁹ Abner also addressed the tribe of Benjamin. Furthermore, with David’s permission,^[j] Abner said anything that seemed like it would be good for Israel and for the entire tribe of Benjamin.

²⁰ Afterwards, Abner brought 20 soldiers to David at Hebron, and David threw a party for Abner and the men who were with him. ²¹ So Abner told David, “Give me permission to go out and rally all of Israel to your majesty the king so they can enter into a formal agreement with you to reign over everything that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner off, and he went away in peace.