6It came about that while the battle was between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul.7Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and he said to Abner, "Why did you come to the concubine of my father?"8Abner became greatly incensed over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, "Am I a head of a dog belonging to Judah? Today I will show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his companion, yet I did not cause you to be found in the hand of David, and you reckon upon me the iniquity of the woman this day."9Thus may God do to Abner, and thus may he add to him, because the LORD swore to David, "I will do likewise to him."10To cause the kingdom to pass from the house of Saul and to cause the throne of David to arise over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.11He was no longer able to answer Abner a word because of his fear of him.12Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf to say, "To whom does the land belong? Cut your covenant with me, and behold, my hand is with you to turn all Israel to you."13He said, "It is good; I will cut a covenant with you, but there is one matter I ask of you: you shall not see my face unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul before you when you come to see my face."14David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, saying, "Give my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistine."15Ish-bosheth sent men and took her from Paltiel son of Laish.16Her husband went with her, walking and weeping behind her as far as Bahurim; and Abner said to him, "Go, return"; and he returned.17Abner had been speaking with the elders of Israel, saying, "Both yesterday and the day before you were seeking David to be king over you."18Now therefore act, for the LORD has said to David, "By the hand of David my servant I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistine and from the hand of all their enemies."19Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin, and he also went to speak in the hearing of David at Hebron concerning all that was good in the eyes of Israel and in the eyes of the whole house of Benjamin.20Abner came to David at Hebron with twenty men, and David prepared a feast for Abner and for the men who were with him.21Abner said to David, "I will arise and go and gather all Israel to my lord the king, and they will make a covenant with you, and you will reign over all that your soul desires"; and David sent Abner away, and he departed in peace.