2 Kingdoms 3

1Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But the house of David grew continually stronger and the house of Saul grew steadily weaker.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

2And sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelite woman

Greek verse alignment unresolved

3his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur

Greek verse alignment unresolved

4the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital

Greek verse alignment unresolved

5and the sixth, Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

6Now while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

7And Saul had a concubine, Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Mephibosheth, son of Saul, said to Abner, 'Why did you go in to my father's concubine?'

Greek verse alignment unresolved

8Then Abner became very angry at Mephibosheth's words, and Abner said to him, 'Am I a dog's head? Today I brought about mercy on the house of Saul your father, his brothers, and his friends, and have not shifted loyalties to the house of David. And you on this very day seek fault against me on behalf of an unrighteous wife.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

9God do thus to Abner and more also, if as the Lord swore an oath to David, so do I not to him this day

Greek verse alignment unresolved

10to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.'

Greek verse alignment unresolved

11And Mephibosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

12Then Abner immediately sent messengers to David in Thailam, saying, 'Make your covenant with me, and my hand shall be with you to bring the house of Israel to you.'

Greek verse alignment unresolved

13And David said, 'Good. I will make a covenant with you, but one thing I require of you. You shall not see my face unless you bring Michal the daughter of Saul when you come to me.'

Greek verse alignment unresolved

14So David sent messengers to Mephibosheth, Saul's son, saying, 'Give me my wife Michal, whom I received for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.'

Greek verse alignment unresolved

15And Mephibosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

16Her husband, weeping behind her, went along with her to Bahurim. So Abner said to him, 'Go, return!' And he returned.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

17Now Abner communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, 'In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

18Now then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, 'By the hand of My servant David I will save Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.' '

Greek verse alignment unresolved

19And Abner spoke in the hearing of Benjamin. Then Abner also went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron everything that seemed good to the eyes of Israel and the whole house of Benjamin.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

20So Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men with him.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

21Then Abner said to David, 'I will arise and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, and I will make a covenant with you, and you may reign over all that your soul desires.' So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

22At that moment, the servants of David and Joab returned from their journey and brought large quantities of spoils with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

23When Joab and all the troops with him had come, they told Joab, saying, 'Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he sent him away, and he went in peace.'

Greek verse alignment unresolved

24Then Joab came to the king and said, 'What is this you ordered? Behold, Abner came to you. Why did you send him away that he departed in peace?

Greek verse alignment unresolved

25Or do you not perceive the evil of Abner the son of Ner, who came to deceive you; to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do?'

Greek verse alignment unresolved

26And Joab went from David's presence and sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know of this.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab turned him aside at the gate to speak with him privately. There an ambush awaited him. Joab stabbed him in the loins, and Abner died for the blood of Asahel, Joab's brother.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

28After David heard this, he said, 'Of the blood of Abner the son of Ner I am forever innocent before the Lord, and so is my kingdom.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

29Let it rest on Joab's head and on all his father's house. And let there never be a time in the house of Joab when it will be found free of one suffering from gonorrhea, or a leper, or one that leans on a staff, or falls by the sword, or lacks bread.'

Greek verse alignment unresolved

30And Joab and Abishai his brother had lain in wait continually for Abner, because he killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon after the struggle.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

31Then David said to Joab and to all the people with him, 'Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.' And King David followed the coffin.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

32So they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave, and all the people wept over Abner.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

33And the king sang a lament over Abner and said: 'Should Abner die according to the death of Nabal?

Greek verse alignment unresolved

34Your hands were not bound, Nor were your feet held by chains, For Nabal was brought forward on different grounds. You fell before children of injustice.' All the people assembled to weep for him.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

35And when all the people came to persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, 'God do so and more to me, if I eat bread or anything else before the sun goes down!'

Greek verse alignment unresolved

36All the people noticed and all were pleased, as the king did many pleasing things before the people.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

37On that day, all the people and all Israel came to realize the king was not intent on killing Abner the son of Ner.

Greek verse alignment unresolved

38Then the king said to his servants, 'Do you not know that a great prince has fallen today in Israel?

Greek verse alignment unresolved

39Though I am governing as the anointed king, on this very day I am a kinsman; and to me these men, sons of Zeruiah, are more unyielding than I am. The Lord shall repay the evildoer according to his malice.'

Greek verse alignment unresolved