The House of David Strengthened
(1 Chronicles 3:1–9)

1  וַתְּהִ֤י (And there was) הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ (a war) אֲרֻכָּ֔ה (long) בֵּ֚ין (between) בֵּ֣ית (the house) שָׁא֔וּל (of Saul) וּבֵ֖ין (and between) בֵּ֣ית (the house) דָּוִ֑ד (of David). וְדָוִד֙ (And David) הֹלֵ֣ךְ (is going on) וְחָזֵ֔ק (and is strong), וּבֵ֥ית (and the house) שָׁא֖וּל (of Saul) הֹלְכִ֥ים (is going on) וְדַלִּֽים׃ס (and is weak).

2  וַיֵּלְדוּ (And were born) לְדָוִ֛ד (to David) בָּנִ֖ים (Sons) בְּחֶבְר֑וֹן (in Hebron):

וַיְהִ֤י (And was) בְכוֹרוֹ֙ (his firstborn) אַמְנ֔וֹן (Amnon) לַאֲחִינֹ֖עַם (by Ahinoam) הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִֽת׃ (the Jezreelitess);

3  וּמִשְׁנֵ֣הוּ (and his second), כִלְאָ֔ב (Chileab) לַאֲבִיגֵל (by Abigail) אֵ֖שֶׁת (the widow) נָבָ֣ל (of Nabal) הַֽכַּרְמְלִ֑י (the Carmelite);

וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁי֙ (and the third), אַבְשָׁל֣וֹם (Absalom) בֶּֽן־ (son) מַעֲכָ֔ה (of Maacah) בַּת־ (the daughter) תַּלְמַ֖י (of Talmai) מֶ֥לֶךְ (king) גְּשֽׁוּר׃ (of Geshur);

4  וְהָרְבִיעִ֖י (and the fourth), אֲדֹנִיָּ֣ה (Adonijah) בֶן־ (son) חַגִּ֑ית (of Haggith);

וְהַחֲמִישִׁ֖י (and the fifth), שְׁפַטְיָ֥ה (Shephatiah) בֶן־ (son) אֲבִיטָֽל׃ (of Abital);

5  וְהַשִּׁשִּׁ֣י (and the sixth), יִתְרְעָ֔ם (Ithream) לְעֶגְלָ֖ה (by Eglah) אֵ֣שֶׁת (wife) דָּוִ֑ד (of David).

אֵ֛לֶּה (These) יֻלְּד֥וּ (were born) לְדָוִ֖ד (to David) בְּחֶבְרֽוֹן׃פ (in Hebron).

Abner Joins David

6  וַיְהִ֗י (And it came to pass) בִּֽהְיוֹת֙ (being) הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה (in the war) בֵּ֚ין (between) בֵּ֣ית (the house) שָׁא֔וּל (of Saul) וּבֵ֖ין (and between) בֵּ֣ית (the house) דָּוִ֑ד (of David), וְאַבְנֵ֛ר (that Abner) הָיָ֥ה (has been) מִתְחַזֵּ֖ק (strengthening himself) בְּבֵ֥ית (in the house) שָׁאֽוּל׃ (of Saul). 7  וּלְשָׁא֣וּל (And Saul had) פִּלֶ֔גֶשׁ (a concubine), וּשְׁמָ֖הּ (and his name was) רִצְפָּ֣ה (Rizpah) בַת־ (the daughter) אַיָּ֑ה (of Aiah). וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (And he said) אֶל־ (to) אַבְנֵ֔ר (Abner), מַדּ֥וּעַ (Why) בָּ֖אתָה (have you gone in) אֶל־ (to) פִּילֶ֥גֶשׁ (the concubine) אָבִֽי׃ (of my father)?

8  וַיִּחַר֩ (And became hot) לְאַבְנֵ֨ר (Abner) מְאֹ֜ד (very) עַל־ (at) דִּבְרֵ֣י (the words) אִֽישׁ־ (of Ish-) בֹּ֗שֶׁת (bosheth), וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (and he said), הֲרֹ֨אשׁ (Is it that the head) כֶּ֥לֶב (of dog) אָנֹ֘כִי֮ (I am) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that) לִֽיהוּדָה֒ (is unto Judah)? הַיּ֨וֹם (This day) אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־ (I am doing) חֶ֜סֶד (kindness) עִם־ (to) בֵּ֣ית׀ (the house) שָׁא֣וּל (of Saul) אָבִ֗יךָ (your father), אֶל־ (to) אֶחָיו֙ (his brothers), וְאֶל־ (and to) מֵ֣רֵעֵ֔הוּ (his friends), וְלֹ֥א (and not) הִמְצִיתִ֖ךָ (I have delivered you) בְּיַד־ (into the hand) דָּוִ֑ד (of David)— וַתִּפְקֹ֥ד (and you charge) עָלַ֛י (me) עֲוֺ֥ן (with iniquity) הָאִשָּׁ֖ה (concerning the woman) הַיּֽוֹם׃ (today)? 9  כֹּֽה־ (Thus) יַעֲשֶׂ֤ה (may do) אֱלֹהִים֙ (God) לְאַבְנֵ֔ר (to Abner), וְכֹ֖ה (and also) יֹסִ֣יף (more) ל֑וֹ (to him), כִּ֗י (if) כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר (as) נִשְׁבַּ֤ע (has sworn) יְהוָה֙ (YHWH) לְדָוִ֔ד (for David), כִּֽי־ (even) כֵ֖ן (so) אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־ (I do not do) לּֽוֹ׃ (to him), 10  לְהַֽעֲבִ֥יר (to transfer) הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה (the kingdom) מִבֵּ֣ית (from the house) שָׁא֑וּל (of Saul) וּלְהָקִ֞ים (and set up) אֶת־ (the) כִּסֵּ֣א (throne) דָוִ֗ד (of David) עַל־ (over) יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (Israel) וְעַל־ (and over) יְהוּדָ֔ה (Judah), מִדָּ֖ן (from Dan) וְעַד־ (even to) בְּאֵ֥ר (Beer-) שָֽׁבַע׃ (sheba).

11  וְלֹֽא־ (And not) יָכֹ֣ל (he could) ע֔וֹד (anymore) לְהָשִׁ֥יב (answer) אֶת־ (-) אַבְנֵ֖ר (to Abner) דָּבָ֑ר (a word), מִיִּרְאָת֖וֹ (because he feared) אֹתֽוֹ׃ס (him).

12  וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ (And sent) אַבְנֵ֨ר (Abner) מַלְאָכִ֧ים׀ (messengers) אֶל־ (to) דָּוִ֛ד (David) תַּחַתוֹ (on his behalf), לֵאמֹ֖ר (saying), לְמִי־ (To whom is) אָ֑רֶץ (the land)? לֵאמֹ֗ר (Saying), כָּרְתָ֤ה (Make) בְרִֽיתְךָ֙ (your covenant) אִתִּ֔י (with me), וְהִנֵּה֙ (and indeed) יָדִ֣י (my hand is) עִמָּ֔ךְ (with you) לְהָסֵ֥ב (to make turn) אֵלֶ֖יךָ (to you) אֶת־ (-) כָּל־ (all) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (Israel).

13  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And he said), ט֔וֹב (Good), אֲנִ֕י (I) אֶכְרֹ֥ת (will cut) אִתְּךָ֖ (with you) בְּרִ֑ית (a covenant). אַ֣ךְ (But) דָּבָ֣ר (thing) אֶחָ֡ד (one) אָנֹכִי֩ (I) שֹׁאֵ֨ל (am asking) מֵאִתְּךָ֤ (of you), לֵאמֹר֙ (saying), לֹא־ (not) תִרְאֶ֣ה (you shall see) אֶת־ (-) פָּנַ֔י (my face), כִּ֣י׀ (except) אִם־ (if) לִפְנֵ֣י (to my face) הֱבִיאֲךָ֗ (you bring) אֵ֚ת (-) מִיכַ֣ל (Michal) בַּת־ (daughter) שָׁא֔וּל (of Saul), בְּבֹאֲךָ֖ (when you come) לִרְא֥וֹת (to see) אֶת־ (-) פָּנָֽי׃ס (my face).

14  וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (And sent) דָּוִד֙ (David) מַלְאָכִ֔ים (messengers) אֶל־ (to) אִֽישׁ־ (Ish-) בֹּ֥שֶׁת (bosheth) בֶּן־ (son), שָׁא֖וּל (of Saul) לֵאמֹ֑ר (saying), תְּנָ֤ה (Give) אֶת־ (to me) אִשְׁתִּי֙ (my wife) אֶת־ (-) מִיכַ֔ל (Michal), אֲשֶׁר֙ (whom) אֵרַ֣שְׂתִּי (I betrothed) לִ֔י (to myself) בְּמֵאָ֖ה (for a hundred) עָרְל֥וֹת (foreskins) פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ (of the Philistines).

15  וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ (And sent) אִ֣ישׁ (Ish-) בֹּ֔שֶׁת (bosheth) וַיִּקָּחֶ֖הָ (and took her) מֵ֣עִֽם (from) אִ֑ישׁ (her husband), מֵעִ֖ם (from) פַּלְטִיאֵ֥ל (Paltiel) בֶּן־ (son) לוּשׁ׃ (Laish). 16  וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ (And went) אִתָּ֜הּ (with her) אִישָׁ֗הּ (her husband) הָל֧וֹךְ (along) וּבָכֹ֛ה (and weeping) אַחֲרֶ֖יהָ (behind her) עַד־ (to) בַּֽחֻרִ֑ים (Bahurim). וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (And said) אֵלָ֥יו (to him) אַבְנֵ֛ר (Abner) לֵ֥ךְ (Go), שׁ֖וּב (turn back). וַיָּשֹֽׁב׃ (And he turned back).

17  וּדְבַר־ (And the word) אַבְנֵ֣ר (of Abner) הָיָ֔ה (was) עִם־ (with) זִקְנֵ֥י (the elders) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (of Israel), לֵאמֹ֑ר (saying), גַּם־ (Even) תְּמוֹל֙ (before) גַּם־ (also) שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם (heretofore) הֱיִיתֶ֞ם (you⁺ were) מְבַקְשִׁ֧ים (seeking) אֶת־ (-) דָּוִ֛ד (David) לְמֶ֖לֶךְ (for king) עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ (over you⁺). 18  וְעַתָּ֖ה (And now) עֲשׂ֑וּ (do it), כִּ֣י (for) יְהוָ֗ה (YHWH) אָמַ֤ר (has spoken) אֶל־ (of) דָּוִד֙ (David), לֵאמֹ֔ר (saying), בְּיַ֣ד׀ (By the hand) דָּוִ֣ד (of David) עַבְדִּ֗י (My servant) הוֹשִׁ֜יעַ (I will save) אֶת־ (-) עַמִּ֤י (My people) יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (Israel) מִיַּ֣ד (from the hand) פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (of the Philistines) וּמִיַּ֖ד (and from the hand) כָּל־ (of all) אֹיְבֵיהֶֽם׃ (their enemies).

19  וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר (And spoke) גַּם־ (also) אַבְנֵ֖ר (Abner) בְּאָזְנֵ֣י (in the ears) בִנְיָמִ֑ין (of Benjamin). וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ (And went) גַּם־ (also) אַבְנֵ֗ר (Abner) לְדַבֵּ֞ר (to speak) בְּאָזְנֵ֤י (in the ears) דָוִד֙ (of David) בְּחֶבְר֔וֹן (in Hebron) אֵ֤ת (-) כָּל־ (all) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) טוֹב֙ (seemed good) בְּעֵינֵ֣י (in the eyes) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (of Israel) וּבְעֵינֵ֖י (and in the eyes) כָּל־ (of all) בֵּ֥ית (the house) בִּנְיָמִֽן׃ (of Benjamin). 20  וַיָּבֹ֨א (And came) אַבְנֵ֤ר (Abner) אֶל־ (to) דָּוִד֙ (David) חֶבְר֔וֹן (at Hebron), וְאִתּ֖וֹ (and with him) עֶשְׂרִ֣ים (twenty) אֲנָשִׁ֑ים (men), וַיַּ֨עַשׂ (and made) דָּוִ֧ד (David) לְאַבְנֵ֛ר (for Abner) וְלַאֲנָשִׁ֥ים (and the men) אֲשֶׁר־ (who were) אִתּ֖וֹ (with him) מִשְׁתֶּֽה׃ (a feast).

21  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And said) אַבְנֵ֣ר (Abner) אֶל־ (to) דָּוִ֡ד (David), אָק֣וּמָה׀ (I will arise) וְֽאֵלֵ֡כָה (and go) וְאֶקְבְּצָה֩ (and gather) אֶל־ (to) אֲדֹנִ֨י (my lord) הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (the king) אֶת־ (-) כָּל־ (all) יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (Israel), וְיִכְרְת֤וּ (that they may cut) אִתְּךָ֙ (with you) בְּרִ֔ית (a covenant), וּמָ֣לַכְתָּ֔ (that you may reign) בְּכֹ֥ל (over all) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) תְּאַוֶּ֖ה (desires) נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ (Your heart).

וַיְּשַׁלַּ֥ח (And sent away) דָּוִ֛ד (David) אֶת־ (-) אַבְנֵ֖ר (Abner) וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (and he went) בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (in peace).

Joab Murders Abner

22  וְהִנֵּה֩ (And behold), עַבְדֵ֨י (the servants) דָוִ֤ד (of David) וְיוֹאָב֙ (and Joab) בָּ֣א (came) מֵֽהַגְּד֔וּד (from the troop), וְשָׁלָ֥ל (and spoil) רָ֖ב (much) עִמָּ֣ם (with them) הֵבִ֑יאוּ (they brought). וְאַבְנֵ֗ר (And Abner was) אֵינֶ֤נּוּ (not) עִם־ (with) דָּוִד֙ (David) בְּחֶבְר֔וֹן (in Hebron), כִּ֥י (for) שִׁלְּח֖וֹ (he had sent him away), וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (and he had gone) בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (in peace). 23  וְיוֹאָ֛ב (And Joab) וְכָל־ (and all) הַצָּבָ֥א (the troops) אֲשֶׁר־ (that were) אִתּ֖וֹ (with him) בָּ֑אוּ (had come), וַיַּגִּ֤דוּ (and they told) לְיוֹאָב֙ (Joab), לֵאמֹ֔ר (saying), בָּֽא־ (Came) אַבְנֵ֤ר (Abner) בֶּן־ (son) נֵר֙ (of Ner) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king), וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֖הוּ (and he sent him away), וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (and he has gone) בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (in peace).

24  וַיָּבֹ֤א (And came) יוֹאָב֙ (Joab) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king) וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (and said), מֶ֣ה (What) עָשִׂ֑יתָה (have you done)? הִנֵּה־ (Behold), בָ֤א (came) אַבְנֵר֙ (Abner) אֵלֶ֔יךָ (to you)! לָמָּה־ (Why) זֶּ֥ה (is this) שִׁלַּחְתּ֖וֹ (that you sent him away), וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (and going) הָלֽוֹךְ׃ (he is gone)? 25  יָדַ֙עְתָּ֙ (You have known) אֶת־ (-) אַבְנֵ֣ר (Abner) בֶּן־ (son) נֵ֔ר (of Ner), כִּ֥י (that) לְפַתֹּתְךָ֖ (to deceive you) בָּ֑א (he came), וְלָדַ֜עַת (and to know) אֶת־ (-) מוֹצָֽאֲךָ֙ (your going out) וְאֶת־ (and) מְבוֹאֶךָ (your coming in), וְלָדַ֕עַת (and to know) אֵ֛ת (-) כָּל־ (all) אֲשֶׁ֥ר (that) אַתָּ֖ה (you) עֹשֶֽׂה׃ (are doing).

26  וַיֵּצֵ֤א (And had gone) יוֹאָב֙ (Joab) מֵעִ֣ם (from) דָּוִ֔ד (David), וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (and he sent) מַלְאָכִים֙ (messengers) אַחֲרֵ֣י (after) אַבְנֵ֔ר (Abner), וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ (and they brought back) אֹת֖וֹ (him) מִבּ֣וֹר (from the well) הַסִּרָ֑ה (of Sirah); וְדָוִ֖ד (and David) לֹ֥א (not) יָדָֽע׃ (did know it).

27  וַיָּ֤שָׁב (And had returned) אַבְנֵר֙ (Abner) חֶבְר֔וֹן (to Hebron), וַיַּטֵּ֤הוּ (and took him) יוֹאָב֙ (Joab) אֶל־ (to) תּ֣וֹךְ (the midst) הַשַּׁ֔עַר (of the gate) לְדַבֵּ֥ר (to speak) אִתּ֖וֹ (with him) בַּשֶּׁ֑לִי (privately), וַיַּכֵּ֤הוּ (and he struck him) שָׁם֙ (there) הַחֹ֔מֶשׁ (in the stomach) וַיָּ֕מָת (and he died)— בְּדַ֖ם (on account of the blood) עֲשָׂה־ (of Asah-) אֵ֥ל (el) אָחִֽיו׃ (his brother).

28  וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע (And heard it) דָּוִד֙ (David) מֵאַ֣חֲרֵי (after) כֵ֔ן (thus), וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (and he said), נָקִ֨י (Are guiltless) אָנֹכִ֧י (I) וּמַמְלַכְתִּ֛י (and My kingdom) מֵעִ֥ם (before) יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) עַד־ (even to) עוֹלָ֑ם (forever) מִדְּמֵ֖י (of the blood) אַבְנֵ֥ר (of Abner) בֶּן־ (son) נֵֽר׃ (of Ner). 29  יָחֻ֙לוּ֙ (Let it rest) עַל־ (on) רֹ֣אשׁ (the head) יוֹאָ֔ב (of Joab) וְאֶ֖ל (and on) כָּל־ (all) בֵּ֣ית (house) אָבִ֑יו (of his father), וְֽאַל־ (and never) יִכָּרֵ֣ת (let there fail to be) מִבֵּ֣ית (in the house) יוֹאָ֡ב (of Joab) זָ֠ב (one who has a discharge), וּמְצֹרָ֞ע (or is a leper), וּמַחֲזִ֥יק (or who leans) בַּפֶּ֛לֶךְ (on a staff) וְנֹפֵ֥ל (or falls) בַּחֶ֖רֶב (by the sword), וַחֲסַר־ (or is lacking) לָֽחֶם׃ (bread).

30  וְיוֹאָב֙ (And Joab) וַאֲבִישַׁ֣י (and Abishai) אָחִ֔יו (his brother) הָרְג֖וּ (killed) לְאַבְנֵ֑ר (Abner), עַל֩ (upon) אֲשֶׁ֨ר (that) הֵמִ֜ית (he had killed) אֶת־ (-) עֲשָׂהאֵ֧ל (Asahel) אֲחִיהֶ֛ם (their brother) בְּגִבְע֖וֹן (at Gibeon) בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃פ (in the battle).

David Mourns for Abner

31  וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (And said) דָּוִ֨ד (David) אֶל־ (to) יוֹאָ֜ב (Joab) וְאֶל־ (and to) כָּל־ (all) הָעָ֣ם (the people) אֲשֶׁר־ (who were) אִתּ֗וֹ (with him), קִרְע֤וּ (Tear) בִגְדֵיכֶם֙ (your⁺ clothes), וְחִגְר֣וּ (and gird yourselves) שַׂקִּ֔ים (with sackcloth), וְסִפְד֖וּ (and mourn) לִפְנֵ֣י (before the face of) אַבְנֵ֑ר (Abner). וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (And King) דָּוִ֔ד (David) הֹלֵ֖ךְ (followed) אַחֲרֵ֥י (after) הַמִּטָּֽה׃ (the bier).

32  וַיִּקְבְּר֥וּ (And they buried) אֶת־ (-) אַבְנֵ֖ר (Abner) בְּחֶבְר֑וֹן (in Hebron). וַיִשָּׂ֧א (And lifted up) הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (the king) אֶת־ (-) קוֹל֗וֹ (his voice) וַיֵּבְךְּ֙ (and wept) אֶל־ (at) קֶ֣בֶר (the grave) אַבְנֵ֔ר (of Abner). וַיִּבְכּ֖וּ (And wept) כָּל־ (all) הָעָֽם׃פ (the people). 33  וַיְקֹנֵ֥ן (And lamented) הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (the king) אֶל־ (over) אַבְנֵ֖ר (Abner) וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (and said),

הַכְּמ֥וֹת (As the death) נָבָ֖ל (of a fool)

יָמ֥וּת (should die) אַבְנֵֽר׃ (Abner).

34  יָדֶ֣ךָ (Your hands) לֹֽא־ (not) אֲסֻר֗וֹת (were bound),

וְרַגְלֶ֙יךָ֙ (and your feet) לֹא־ (and not) לִנְחֻשְׁתַּ֣יִם (into fetters) הֻגָּ֔שׁוּ (put).

כִּנְפ֛וֹל (As a man falls) לִפְנֵ֥י (before the face of) בְנֵֽי־ (men) עַוְלָ֖ה (wicked),

נָפָ֑לְתָּ (you fell).

וַיֹּסִ֥פוּ (And again) כָל־ (all) הָעָ֖ם (the people) לִבְכּ֥וֹת (wept) עָלָֽיו׃ (over him).

35  וַיָּבֹ֣א (And came) כָל־ (all) הָעָ֗ם (the people) לְהַבְר֧וֹת (to persuade to eat) אֶת־ (-) דָּוִ֛ד (David) לֶ֖חֶם (food) בְּע֣וֹד (while it was still) הַיּ֑וֹם (the day), וַיִּשָּׁבַ֨ע (and took an oath) דָּוִ֜ד (David), לֵאמֹ֗ר (saying), כֹּ֣ה (So) יַעֲשֶׂה־ (do) לִּ֤י (to me) אֱלֹהִים֙ (God), וְכֹ֣ה (and thus) יֹסִ֔יף (may he continue) כִּ֣י (for) אִם־ (if) לִפְנֵ֧י (before the face of) בֽוֹא־ (goes down) הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ (the sun) אֶטְעַם־ (I taste) לֶ֖חֶם (bread), א֥וֹ (or) כָל־ (any) מְאֽוּמָה׃ (other thing).

36  וְכָל־ (And all) הָעָ֣ם (the people) הִכִּ֔ירוּ (took note), וַיִּיטַ֖ב (and) בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם (it pleased them), כְּכֹל֙ (since) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (whatever) עָשָׂ֣ה (did) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king) בְּעֵינֵ֥י (in the eyes) כָל־ (all) הָעָ֖ם (the people) טֽוֹב׃ (was good). 37  וַיֵּדְע֧וּ (And for understood) כָל־ (all) הָעָ֛ם (the people) וְכָל־ (and all) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (Israel) בַּיּ֣וֹם (on day) הַה֑וּא (that) כִּ֣י (that) לֹ֤א (not) הָיְתָה֙ (it was) מֵֽהַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (from the king) לְהָמִ֖ית (to kill) אֶת־ (-) אַבְנֵ֥ר (Abner) בֶּן־ (son) נֵֽר׃פ (of Ner).

38  וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (And said) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) אֶל־ (to) עֲבָדָ֑יו (his servants), הֲל֣וֹא (Do not) תֵדְע֔וּ (you⁺ know) כִּי־ (that) שַׂ֣ר (a prince) וְגָד֗וֹל (and a great man) נָפַ֛ל (has fallen) הַיּ֥וֹם (the day) הַזֶּ֖ה (this) בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (in Israel)? 39  וְאָנֹכִ֨י (And I am) הַיּ֥וֹם (today) רַךְ֙ (weak), וּמָשׁ֣וּחַ (and though anointed) מֶ֔לֶךְ (king), וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים (and men) הָאֵ֛לֶּה (these) בְּנֵ֥י (the sons) צְרוּיָ֖ה (of Zeruiah) קָשִׁ֣ים (are too harsh) מִמֶּ֑נִּי (for me), יְשַׁלֵּ֧ם (shall repay) יְהוָ֛ה (YHWH) לְעֹשֵׂ֥ה (the) הָרָעָ֖ה (evildoer) כְּרָעָתֽוֹ׃פ (according to his wickedness).