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Abner Defects to David

While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul. Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, and Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

Abner became very angry over the words of Ish-Bosheth. He said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Each day I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends by not allowing you to fall into the hand of David. Yet today you are charging me with guilt concerning this woman. May God do so to Abner, and more also, for as the Lord has sworn to David, this I will do for him, 10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 And he could not offer a response to Abner, for fear of him.

12 So Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and my hand will be with you to bring over all of Israel to you.”

13 He responded, “Very well, I will make a covenant with you, but I require one thing from you: you will not see my face unless you bring Michal the daughter of Saul with you when you come to see me.” 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth the son of Saul, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was betrothed for one hundred Philistine foreskins.”

15 So Ish-Bosheth sent for her, and he took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 But her husband went with her, weeping as he went, as far as Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go. Return.” So he turned back.

17 Abner had a word with the elders of Israel, “In days past, you were seeking David as king over you. 18 So do it now, because the Lord said to David: By the hand of David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of every enemy.”

19 Abner also spoke privately with Benjamin. Then Abner went to tell David privately at Hebron all that was received favorably by Israel and the entire house of Benjamin. 20 So Abner, along with twenty men, went to David at Hebron, and David held a festival for Abner and the men who were with him. 21 Abner said to David, “Let me arise, go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went peaceably.

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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, “Why 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, who against Judah do show 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 today with a fault concerning this woman?

God so do to Abner, and more also, unless, 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 land is it?” 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, unless 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, whom I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

15 And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish.

16 And her husband went along with her, 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 spoke 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 at Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men who 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.

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