¹² Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, ‘Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to turn all Israel over to you.’

¹³ David replied, ‘Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there’s one thing I require of you: You will not see my face unless you first bring Saul’s daughter Michal^(A) when you come to see me.’

²¹ Abner said to David, ‘Let me now go and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you,^(A) and you will reign over all you desire.’ So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.