2Samuel:3

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* Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David : but David waxed stronger and stronger , and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker . * And unto David were sons born (8675 ) in Hebron : and his firstborn was Amnon , of Ahinoam #Achiyno #am # the Jezreelitess Yizr @#e #liyth #; * And his second , Chileab Kil #ab #, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite ; and the third , Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur ; * And the fourth r @biy #iy #, Adonijah the son of Haggith ; and the fifth , Shephatiah the son of Abital ; * And the sixth , Ithream Yithr @#am #, by Eglah Davids wife . These were born to David in Hebron . * And it came to pass , while there war between the house of Saul and the house of David , that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul Sha #uwl #. * And Saul had a concubine , whose name was Rizpah , the daughter of Aiah : and Ishbosheth said to Abner , Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my fathers concubine ? * Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth #Iysh-Bosheth #, and said , Am I a dogs head ro #sh #, which against Judah do shew 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 ? * So do God to Abner , and more also , except , as the LORD hath sworn to David , even so I do to him ; * To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul Sha #uwl #, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah , from Dan even to Beersheba B @#er . * And he could not answer Abner a word again , because he feared him . * And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf , saying , Whose is the land ? saying also , Make thy league with me , and , behold , my hand shall be with thee , to bring about all Israel unto thee . * 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 , except thou first bring Michal Sauls daughter , when thou comest to see my face . * And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth #Iysh-Bosheth # Sauls son , saying , Deliver me my wife Michal , which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines . * And Ishbosheth #Iysh-Bosheth # sent , and took her from her husband , even from Phaltiel the son of Laish L . * And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim . Then said Abner unto him , Go , return . And he returned . * And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel Yisra #el #, saying , Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you : * 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 . * And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin : and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel Yisra #el #, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin . * So Abner came to David to Hebron , and twenty men with him . And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast . * 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 . * 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 . * When Joab and all the host that was with him were come , they told Joab Yow #ab #, saying , Abner the son of Ner came to the king , and he hath sent him away , and he is gone in peace . * Then Joab came to the king , and said , What hast thou done ? behold , Abner came unto thee ; why is it that thou hast sent him away , and he is quite gone ? * Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner , that he came to deceive thee , and to know thy going out and thy coming in , and to know all that thou doest . * And when Joab was come out from David , he sent messengers after Abner , which brought him again from the well of Sirah : but David knew it not . * And when Abner was returned to Hebron , Joab took him aside in #H8432the gate to speak with him quietly , and smote him there under the fifth rib , that he died , for the blood of Asahel #Asah #el # his brother . * And afterward when David heard it , he said , I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner : * Let it rest on the head of Joab Yow #ab #, and on all his fathers house ; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue , or that is a leper , or that leaneth on a staff , or that falleth on the sword , or that lacketh bread . * So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner , because he had slain their brother Asahel #Asah #el # at Gibeon in the battle . * And David said to Joab Yow #ab #, and to all the people that were with him , Rend your clothes , and gird you with sackcloth , and mourn before Abner . And king David himself followed the bier . * And they buried Abner in Hebron : and the king lifted up his voice , and wept at the grave of Abner ; and all the people wept . * And the king lamented over Abner , and said , Died Abner as a fool dieth ? * Thy hands were not bound , nor thy feet put into fetters : as a man falleth before wicked men , so fellest thou . And all the people wept again over him . * And when all the people came to cause # David to eat meat while it was yet day , David sware , saying , So do God to me , and more also , if I taste bread , or ought else , till the sun be down . * And all the people took notice of it , and it pleased them : as whatsoever the king did pleased #H2896all the people . * For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner . * And the king said unto his servants , Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel Yisra #el #? * And I am this day weak , though anointed king ; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me : the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness .

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