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2 Samuel

Abner Seeks Alliance with David

3
Chapter 3
6 There was warfare between the house of Saul and the house of David, and Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul. 7 Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you come to my father's concubine?" 8 Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth, and he said, "Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah today? Today I do steadfast love with the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his friends, and you did not find me in the hand of David. Yet today you charge me with the iniquity of the woman." 9 May God do to Abner and more also, for just as the LORD swore to David, so I will do for him. 10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beer-sheba. 11 He could no longer reply to Abner because he feared him. 12 Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, "To whom does the land belong? You have cut your covenant with me, and look, my hand is with you to turn all Israel to you." 13 He said, "Good, I will cut a covenant with you. However, one thing I ask from you: You shall not see my face unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul before me when you come to see my face." 14 David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines." 15 And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her man, from Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Her husband went with her, weeping behind her as far as Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go, return," and he returned. 17 And the word of Abner was with the elders of Israel, saying, "Both yesterday and the day before you were seeking David to be king over you." 18 Now do it, for the LORD has said to David, "By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies." 19 And Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin. And Abner also went to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that was good in the eyes of Israel and in the eyes of all the house of Benjamin. 20 Abner came to David at Hebron with twenty men, and David made a feast for Abner and the men with him. 21 And Abner said to David, "I will arise and go and gather all Israel to my lord the king, and they will cut a covenant with you, and you will reign over all that your soul desires." And David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.