2 Samuel 3:7-22

Revised Geneva Translation

⁷ And Saul had a concubine named 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 at the words of Ishbosheth, and said, “Am I a dog’s head of Judah? This day I have shown mercy to the House of Saul your father, to his brethren, and to his neighbors, and have not delivered you into the hand of David! Yet, you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman?

⁹ “So do God to Abner, and more also, unless I do for David as the LORD has sworn to him,

¹⁰ “to remove the kingdom from the House of Saul, so that the throne of David may be established over Israel, and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”

¹¹ And he dared not answer Abner anymore. For he feared him.

¹² Then Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and also saying, “Make a covenant with me. And behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Israel to you.”

¹³ Who said, “Good. I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you, which is that you do not see my face unless you bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see me.”

¹⁴ Then David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver my wife Michal to me, whom I married for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

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

¹⁶ And her husband went with her and came, weeping, behind her, to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go. Return.” So, he returned.

¹⁷ And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “You fought for David in times past, so that he might be your king.

¹⁸ “Then, do it now! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant, David, I will save My people, Israel, out of the hands of the Philistines and out of the hands of all their enemies.’”

¹⁹ Also, Abner spoke to Benjamin. And afterward, Abner went to speak with David in Hebron concerning all that Israel was content with, as well as all that of the House of Benjamin.

²⁰ So Abner came to David, to Hebron, having twenty men with him. And David made a feast for Abner, and to the men who were with him.

²¹ Then Abner said to David, “I will rise up and go gather all Israel to my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.” Then David let Abner depart, who went in peace.

²² And behold, the servants of David and Joab came from the camp and brought a great spoil with them (but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he had departed in peace).