Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but Davidwaxedstronger and stronger, and the house of Saulwaxedweaker and weaker.
Then was Abnerverywroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’shead, whichagainstJudah do shewkindnessthis day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not deliveredtheeinto the hand of David, thatthouchargest me to day with a faultconcerningthiswoman?
And Abnersentmessengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? sayingalso, Make thy leaguewith me, and, behold, my handshall be withthee, to bringabout all Israeluntothee.
And he said, Well; I willmake a leaguewiththee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thoushalt not see my face, exceptthoufirstbringMichalSaul’sdaughter, whenthoucomest to see my face.
Now then do it: for the LORDhathspoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servantDavid I willsave my peopleIsrael out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all theirenemies.
And Abneralsospake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abnerwentalso to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all thatseemedgood to Israel, and thatseemedgood to the wholehouse of Benjamin.
And AbnersaiduntoDavid, I willarise and go, and willgather all Israelunto my lord the king, thatthey may make a leaguewiththee, and thatthoumayestreignover all thatthineheartdesireth. And DavidsentAbneraway; and he went in peace.
And, behold, the servants of David and Joabcamefrompursuing a troop, and brought in a greatspoilwiththem: but Abner was not withDavid in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
WhenJoab and all the hostthat was with him werecome, theytoldJoab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hathsent him away, and he is gone in peace.
And whenAbner was returned to Hebron, Joabtook him aside in the gate to speakwith him quietly, and smote him thereunder the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’shouse; and let there not failfrom the house of Joab one thathath an issue, or that is a leper, or thatleaneth on a staff, or thatfalleth on the sword, or thatlackethbread.
And Davidsaid to Joab, and to all the peoplethatwerewith him, Rendyourclothes, and gird you withsackcloth, and mournbeforeAbner. And kingDavidhimselffollowed the bier.
And when all the peoplecame to causeDavid to eat meatwhile it was yet day, Davidsware, saying, So do God to me, and morealso, if I tastebread, or oughtelse, till the sun be down.
And I am this day weak, thoughanointedking; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORDshallreward the doer of evilaccording to his wickedness.