2 Samuel 3:6-21
World English Bible
6 While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house. 7 Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”
8 Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness 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 yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman! 9 God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Yahweh has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him; 10 to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s house, and to set up David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”
11 He could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him.
12 Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and saying, “Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand will be with you, to bring all Israel around to you.”
13 He said, “Good. I will make a treaty with you, but one thing I require of you. That is, you will not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.”
14 David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”
15 Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go! Return!” and he returned. 17 Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you sought for David to be king over you. 18 Now then do it; for Yahweh has 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 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 to the whole house of Benjamin. 20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast. 21 Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires.” David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
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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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Samuel 3:7 Supported by some Hebrew and Greek manuscripts
- 2 Samuel 3:7 Literally “have you gone into”
- 2 Samuel 3:8 Literally “And it became hot for Abner very”
- 2 Samuel 3:8 Literally “you have called me into account with the guilt of the woman”
- 2 Samuel 3:9 Literally “may God do to Abner, and thus may he add to it”
- 2 Samuel 3:9 Literally “for as that Yahweh has sworn to David, so I will accomplish for him”
- 2 Samuel 3:11 Literally “return a word to”
- 2 Samuel 3:11 Literally “because of his fearing him”
- 2 Samuel 3:12 Literally “under him”
- 2 Samuel 3:12 Literally “cut your covenant with me”
- 2 Samuel 3:13 David
- 2 Samuel 3:13 Literally “I will cut a covenant with you”
- 2 Samuel 3:13 Literally “my face”
- 2 Samuel 3:14 Hebrew “me”
- 2 Samuel 3:15 The Hebrew Masoretic text (Kethib) reads “Lush”; Qere reads “Laish”
- 2 Samuel 3:16 Literally “going and weeping”
- 2 Samuel 3:17 Literally “was with”
- 2 Samuel 3:17 Literally “Both yesterday and the day before”
- 2 Samuel 3:19 Literally “in the ears of Benjamin”
- 2 Samuel 3:19 Literally “to speak in the ears of David”
- 2 Samuel 3:21 Literally “cut a covenant”
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