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2 Samuel 3:6-21
Evangelical Heritage Version

Abner and Ishbosheth

6 While the war was going on between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner kept gaining power within the house of Saul.

7 Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone to the concubine of my father?”

8 Abner became very angry because of the words of Ishbosheth and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? To this day I have acted with loyalty toward the house of your father Saul, to his relatives, and to his friends. In addition, I have not handed you over to David, but today you make accusations against me concerning this woman! 9 May God punish me severely and double it,[a] if I do not do for David what the Lord has sworn about him 10 by transferring the kingdom from the house of Saul and establishing the throne of David over both Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 Ishbosheth was not able to say anything to Abner anymore because he was afraid of him.

Abner and David

12 Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David. They said, “Whose land is it? Make a covenant with me. Look, my hand is with you to turn the allegiance of all Israel to you.”

13 David said, “Good. I will make a covenant with you, but I require one thing from you. You will not see my face unless you bring to me Michal, the daughter of Saul, when you come.”

14 David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son. They delivered this demand: “Give me my wife Michal, whom I obtained as my wife with a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

15 Ishbosheth sent and took her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Her husband accompanied her to Bahurim, weeping all the way, but Abner told him, “Go back,” so he went home.

17 Abner also delivered the following message to the elders of Israel: “Day after day you have been seeking to have David as king over you. 18 Now do it, because the Lord said to David, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will rescue[b] my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’”

19 Abner also spoke to the tribe of Benjamin. Then he spoke to David in Hebron about everything that Israel and all the house of Benjamin had approved.

20 Abner and twenty men along with him came to David at Hebron, and David held a feast for Abner and his men. 21 Abner said to David, “I will go and gather all Israel to my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you. You will rule over all that your heart desires.” David sent Abner away in peace.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 3:9 Literally may God do this to Abner and even more
  2. 2 Samuel 3:18 The translation follows the ancient versions. The Hebrew reads he will rescue.
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2 Samuel 3:6-21
Lexham English Bible

6 As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was continuing, Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul. 7 Saul had had a concubine, and her name was Rizpah the daughter of Aiah. Then Ish-Bosheth[a] said to Abner, “Why did you have sex with[b] my father’s concubine?” 8 Abner became very angry[c] at the words of Ish-Bosheth, and he said, “Am I the head of a dog which is for Judah today? Do I not continue to show loyal love with the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends? I have not let you fall into the hands of David, yet you have accused me of sin with this woman[d] today. 9 Thus may God punish Abner,[e] if I do not accomplish what Yahweh has sworn to David;[f] 10 specifically, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah from Dan to Beersheba!” 11 And Ish-Bosheth was no longer able to answer[g] Abner because he feared him.[h]

Abner Pledges Support for David

12 Abner sent messengers to David where he was,[i] saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me![j] Look, my hand is with you to bring all of Israel over to you!” 13 He[k] said, “Good. I will make a covenant with you.[l] I am asking only one thing from you: You shall not see my face unless you bring Michal the daughter of Saul when you come to see me.”[m] 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth the son of Saul, saying, “Give me my wife Michal whom I betrothed to myself[n] for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 So Ish-Bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish.[o] 16 But her husband went with her, weeping all along[p] after her as far as Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go and return.” So he returned.

17 The word of Abner came to[q] the elders of Israel, saying, “For quite some time[r] you were seeking David as king over you. 18 So then, bring it about, because Yahweh had said to David, “Through the hand of David my servant I am about to save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.” 19 Abner also spoke privately to Benjamin.[s] Abner also went to speak to David[t] in Hebron, all that was good in the eyes of Israel and in the eyes of all the house of Benjamin.

20 Then Abner came to David in Hebron and with him were twenty men. David had prepared a feast for Abner and for the men who were with him. 21 And Abner said to David, “Let me get up and go and gather all of Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant[u] with you so you can reign over all which your soul desires.” So David dismissed Abner, and he left in peace.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 3:7 Supported by some Hebrew and Greek manuscripts
  2. 2 Samuel 3:7 Literally “have you gone into”
  3. 2 Samuel 3:8 Literally “And it became hot for Abner very”
  4. 2 Samuel 3:8 Literally “you have called me into account with the guilt of the woman”
  5. 2 Samuel 3:9 Literally “may God do to Abner, and thus may he add to it”
  6. 2 Samuel 3:9 Literally “for as that Yahweh has sworn to David, so I will accomplish for him”
  7. 2 Samuel 3:11 Literally “return a word to”
  8. 2 Samuel 3:11 Literally “because of his fearing him”
  9. 2 Samuel 3:12 Literally “under him”
  10. 2 Samuel 3:12 Literally “cut your covenant with me”
  11. 2 Samuel 3:13 David
  12. 2 Samuel 3:13 Literally “I will cut a covenant with you”
  13. 2 Samuel 3:13 Literally “my face”
  14. 2 Samuel 3:14 Hebrew “me”
  15. 2 Samuel 3:15 The Hebrew Masoretic text (Kethib) reads “Lush”; Qere reads “Laish”
  16. 2 Samuel 3:16 Literally “going and weeping”
  17. 2 Samuel 3:17 Literally “was with”
  18. 2 Samuel 3:17 Literally “Both yesterday and the day before”
  19. 2 Samuel 3:19 Literally “in the ears of Benjamin”
  20. 2 Samuel 3:19 Literally “to speak in the ears of David”
  21. 2 Samuel 3:21 Literally “cut a covenant”
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Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lexham English Bible (LEB)

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