2 Samuel, Chapter 3:

Verses from 2 Samuel, Chapter 3 of the book of 2 Samuel of the Bible.

• 1. The war between the families of Saul and David went on for a long time. As David became increasingly powerful, Saul's family grew weaker.
• 2. These were the sons of David born in Hebron: the eldest was Amnon, son of Ahinoam of Jezreel;
• 3. the second was Quileab, son of Abigail, widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third was Absalom, son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;
• 4. the fourth was Adonijah, son of Haggite; the fifth was Shephatiah, son of Abital;
• 5. and the sixth was Itream, son of his wife Eglah. These were the sons of David born in Hebron.

Abner joins David

• 6. As the war between the families of Saul and David continued, Abner became more and more powerful in Saul's family.
• 7. Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, daughter of Ahiah. Ish-Bosheth questioned Abner: “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”
• 8. Abner was indignant at Ish-Bosheth's question and exclaimed, “Am I a dog in the service of Judah? Until now I have been loyal to the family of Saul, his father, and to his relatives and friends. I prevented you from falling into David's hands. And now you accuse me of this crime involving this woman!
• 9. May God punish me severely if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him:
• 10. take the kingdom from the family of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”
• 11. Ish-Bosheth did not answer a word, for he was afraid of Abner.
• 12. Then Abner sent messengers to David with this proposal: “Whose land is this? Let us make a deal, and I will help you win the support of all Israel.”
• 13. “Okay,” David replied, “but on one condition: you must not appear before me without bringing Michal, Saul’s daughter, with you.”
• 14. David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, demanding: “Bring my wife Michal, whom I married in exchange for a hundred Philistine foreskins.”
• 15. Then Ish-Bosheth ordered her to be taken from her husband Paltiel, son of Laish.
• 16. Paltiel followed her weeping to Baurim, but Abner told him to return home, and he obeyed.
• 17. Meanwhile, Abner spoke to the Israelite authorities, saying: “For some time you have wanted David to be king.
• 18. Now is the time to act, for the Lord promised David: 'Through David my servant I will deliver Israel from the power of the Philistines and from all their enemies.'
• 19. Abner also spoke to the Benjaminites personally and then went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the tribe of Benjamin had decided.
• 20. When Abner arrived at Hebron with twenty men, David gave a banquet in his honor. Abner and his companions were received with great celebration.
• 21. Then Abner said to David, “Allow me to go and gather all Israel to make a treaty with you, O king, so that you may reign over all you desire.” David allowed Abner to leave in peace.

Joab kills Abner

• 22. At the same time, the soldiers of David and Joab returned from an expedition, bringing with them a large amount of booty. Abner, however, was no longer with David in Hebron, as David had let him go in peace.
• 23. When Joab arrived with his entire army, they told him that Abner son of Ner had been with the king, but that David had let him go in peace.
• 24. Joab went to the king and asked, “What did you do? Abner came to you, and you let him go?
• 25. You know Abner, son of Ner. He came to deceive you, to watch your movements and find out everything you are doing.”
• 26. Then Joab sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David didn't know about it.
• 27. When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him to a corner near the city gate, as if he wanted to talk privately with him. There, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and Abner died from the blood of Asahel, Joab's brother.
• 28. When David heard what had happened, he said, “I and my kingdom are innocent before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner son of Ner.
• 29. May the blame for his death fall on the heads of Joab and his entire family! May Joab’s family never lack someone suffering from flux, leprosy, walking on crutches, dying by the sword or starving.”
• 30. Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle of Gibeon.
• 31. David said to Joab and all the army that was with him, “Put on mourning clothes and tear your clothes as a sign of mourning. Weep before Abner.” And King David went after the stretcher that carried the body.
• 32. Abner was buried in Hebron, and David wept aloud at Abner's tomb, as did all the people.
• 33. Then the king sang this lament in memory of Abner: “Why did Abner die like a fool?
• 34. His hands were not bound, his feet were not chained. He fell as he falls before evildoers.” And all the people wept even more for Abner.
• 35. Then all the people urged David to eat while it was still daylight. But David swore a solemn oath: “May God punish me severely if I taste any food before sunset!”
• 36. All the people heard David's oath and approved it, for everything the king did was approved by the people.
• 37. On that day all the people of Israel and all Israel recognized that the king had no guilt in the murder of Abner son of Ner.
• 38. The king then said to his advisors: “Do you not realize that today a leader, an important man, has fallen in Israel?
• 39. Even though I am the anointed king, I am still weak, while these sons of Zeruiah are stronger than I. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!”

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