1Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time; but David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2And these sons were born to David in Hebron: Amnon, his first-born of Ahinoam, the Jezreelitess; 3His second, Chileab, of Abigail, the widow of Nabal; his third, Absalom, of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; 4His fourth, Adonijah, of Haggith; his fifth, Shephatiah, of Abital; 5And his sixth, Ithream, by Eglah, another of David's wives. These were all born to David in Hebron.

6And during the war between the houses of Saul and of David, Abner strengthened his position within the house of Saul. 7And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth asked Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?” 8And Abner replied in anger, “Am I some Judean dog to be kicked around? I have been loyal to Saul, your father, his brothers, and his friends, by not handing you over to David – and now you find fault with me about this woman? 9May God punish Abner, and more besides, if I do not do for David what the LORD has sworn to do for him: 10To transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan clear to Beersheba.” 11And Ish-bosheth did not dare to answer Abner a word, because he feared him.

12And Abner sent messengers on his own behalf to David, saying, “Whose land is it? Make your treaty with me, and, I shall help bring all Israel over to you.” 13And David replied, “Well; I will make a treaty with you; but one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face, unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see me.” 14And David also sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, to say, “Deliver my wife, Michal, whom I betrothed for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins, to me.” 15And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from Paltiel, son of Laish, her husband. 16And her husband followed behind her, weeping, to Bahurim. Then Abner told him, “Go back home!” And he returned.

17And Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time, you have wanted to make David your king: 18Now, then, do it; for the LORD has said of David, ‘By the hand of My servant David I will rescue My people Israel from the Philistines, and from all their enemies.’” 19And Abner also spoke to those of Benjamin. Then he went to Hebron to tell David that all Israel, and the whole tribe of Benjamin had agreed to support him. 20So Abner came to David at Hebron, with twenty men. And David held a feast for Abner and the men with him, 21And Abner told David, “I will go, and gather all Israel unto you, my lord, the king, so that they may make a treaty with you, that you may reign over all that your heart desires.” And David sent Abner safely away; and he went in peace.

22And then Joab returned with David’s men from a raid, with a great amount of plunder; but Abner was no longer with David in Hebron; because David had sent him away, and he had left in peace. 23When Joab and all those with him arrived, they told Joab, “Abner, son of Ner, came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.” 24Then Joab came to the king, and said, “What have you done? Abner came to you; why did you let him get away, and now he is gone! 25You know Abner, that he came to deceive you, and to learn of your affairs, and all that you do.” 26And when Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David did not know it. 27And when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside by the gate to speak privately with him, and stabbed Abner under his fifth rib, so that he died, for killing Asahel, his brother.

28And afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are innocent before the LORD forever concerning the blood of Abner, son of Ner. 29Let the guilt rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's tribe; and let there never cease from the house of Joab someone who has an issue, or is a leper, or who leans on a crutch, or dies by the sword, or lacks food.” 30So Joab and Abishai, his brother, killed Abner, because he had killed their brother, Asahel, at the battle in Gibeon. 31And David told Joab, and all who were with him, “Tear your clothes, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.” And king David himself followed Abner’s burial bier. 32And they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king wept aloud at the grave of Abner; as did all the people. 33And the king mourned over Abner, and said, “Did Abner die like a fool? 34Your (Abner’s) hands were not bound, nor your feet in chains; but rather, you fell as a man falls before wicked men.” And all the people wept again over him. 35And when all the people came to urge David to eat food while it was yet day, David swore, saying, “May God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, till the sun is down.” 36And all the people took note of it, and it pleased them; just as everything that the king did. 37For all the people of Israel understood that day that the king had no part in the slaying of Abner. 38And the king said to his servants, “Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39And today, though I am anointed king, these sons of Zeruiah (Joab, Abishai & Asahel), are too hard for me to control. May the LORD reward the evildoer according to his wicked deeds.”