(KJV) 2 Samuel 3¹

<< 2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 4 >>

⥃The House of David Strengthened ^{[ 1 Chronicles 3:1–9 ]}

[1] Now there was long war² between³ the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed⁴ stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

[2] [¶]And unto David were sons born⁵ in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon⁶, of Ahinoam⁷ the Jezreelitess; [3] And his second, Chileab⁸, of Abigail⁹ the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom¹⁰ the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai¹¹ king of Geshur¹²; [4] And the fourth, Adonijah¹³ the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; [5] And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

⥃Abner Joins David

[6] [¶]And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner¹⁴ made himself strong for the house of Saul. [7] And Saul had a concubine, whose name [was] Rizpah¹⁵, the daughter of Aiah: and [Ish–bosheth] said to Abner, Wherefore¹⁶ hast thou gone in¹⁷ unto my father’s concubine? [8] Then was Abner¹⁸ very wroth for the words of Ish–bosheth, and said, [Am] I a dog’s head¹⁹, which against Judah do shew²⁰ 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 to day with a fault concerning this woman? [9] So do God²¹ to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord²² 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 Dan²³ even to Beer–sheba. [11] And he could not answer Abner a word again, because²⁴ he feared him.

[12] [¶]And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose²⁵ [is] the land? saying [also], Make²⁶ thy league with me, and, behold, my hand²⁷ [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 is²⁸, Thou shalt²⁹ not see my face, except³⁰ thou first bring Michal³¹ Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face. [14] And David sent messengers to Ish–bosheth³² Saul’s son, saying, Deliver [me] my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred³³ foreskins of the Philistines. [15] And Ish–bosheth sent, and took her from [her] husband, [even] from Phaltiel³⁴ the son of Laish. [16] And her husband went with her along weeping³⁵ behind her to Bahurim³⁶. 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 past³⁷ [to be] king over you: [18] Now then do [it]: for the Lord³⁸ hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand³⁹ 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 spake in the ears of Benjamin⁴⁰: 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 David⁴¹ to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that [were] with him a feast. [21] And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather⁴² all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over⁴³ all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

⥃Joab Murders Abner

[22] And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from [pursuing] a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner [was] not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. [23] When Joab and all the host that [was] with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. [24] Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast⁴⁴ thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why [is] it [that] thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? [25] Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came⁴⁵ to deceive thee, and to know⁴⁶ thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. [26] And when Joab was come out from David, he sent⁴⁷ messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew [it] not. [27] And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him⁴⁸ aside in the gate to speak with him quietly⁴⁹, and smote⁵⁰ him there under the fifth [rib], that he died, for the blood⁵¹ of Asahel his brother.

[28] [¶]And afterward when David heard [it], he said, I and my kingdom [are] guiltless⁵² before the Lord for ever from the blood⁵³ of Abner the son of Ner: [29] Let it rest⁵⁴ on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there⁵⁵ not fail⁵⁶ from the house of Joab one that hath an issue⁵⁷, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread. [30] So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner⁵⁸, because⁵⁹ he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

⥃David Mourns for Abner

[31] [¶]And David⁶⁰ said to Joab, and to all the people that [were] with him, Rend⁶¹ your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David [himself] followed the bier⁶². [32] And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted⁶³ up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. [33] And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth⁶⁴? [34] Thy hands⁶⁵ [were] not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men⁶⁶, [so] fellest thou. And all the people wept⁶⁷ again over him. [35] And when all the people came to cause⁶⁸ David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do⁶⁹ God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the⁷⁰ sun be down. [36] And all the people took notice [of it], and it pleas⁷¹ed them⁷²: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. [37] For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. [38] And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince⁷³ and a great man fallen this day in Israel? [39] And I [am⁷⁴] this day weak⁷⁵, though anointed king; and these men the sons⁷⁶ of Zeruiah [be] too hard⁷⁷ for me: the Lord⁷⁸ shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

<< 2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 4 >>