2 Samuel 3:1-12

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Abner Defects to David

3 There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

² Sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel;^{(A) 3} his second was Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third was Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;^{(B) 4} the fourth was Adonijah son of Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah son of Abital;^{(C) 5} and the sixth was Ithream, of David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.

⁶ While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul. ⁷ Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ishbaal^[a] said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”^{(D) 8} The words of Ishbaal^[b] made Abner very angry; he said, “Am I a dog’s head for Judah? Today I keep showing loyalty to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends and have not given you into the hand of David, yet you charge me now with a crime concerning this woman.^{(E) 9} So may God do to Abner and so may he add to it! For just what the Lord has sworn to David, that will I accomplish for him:^{(F) 10} to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beer-sheba.”^{(G) 11} And Ishbaal^[c] could not answer Abner another word because he feared him.

¹² Abner sent messengers to David where he was,^[d] saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and I will give you my support to bring all Israel over to you.”