2 Samuel 3:1-39, NLT
2 Samuel 3
1That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.
David’s Sons Born in Hebron
2These are the sons who were born to David in Hebron:
The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel.
3The second was Daniel,*3:3 As in parallel text at 1 Chr 3:1 (see also Greek version, which reads Daluia, and possible support by Dead Sea Scrolls); Hebrew reads Kileab. whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel.
The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
4The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith.
The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.
5The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, David’s wife.
These sons were all born to David in Hebron.
Abner Joins Forces with David
6As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David went on, Abner became a powerful leader among those loyal to Saul.
8Abner was furious. “Am I some Judean dog to be kicked around like this?” he shouted. “After all I have done for your father, Saul, and his family and friends by not handing you over to David, is this my reward—that you find fault with me about this woman?
12Then Abner sent messengers to David, saying, “Doesn’t the entire land belong to you? Make a solemn pact with me, and I will help turn over all of Israel to you.”
13“All right,” David replied, “but I will not negotiate with you unless you bring back my wife Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come.”
14David then sent this message to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son: “Give me back my wife Michal, for I bought her with the lives*3:14 Hebrew the foreskins. of 100 Philistines.”
15So Ishbosheth took Michal away from her husband, Palti*3:15 As in 1 Sam 25:44; Hebrew reads Paltiel, a variant spelling of Palti. son of Laish.
17Meanwhile, Abner had consulted with the elders of Israel. “For some time now,” he told them, “you have wanted to make David your king.
20When Abner and twenty of his men came to Hebron, David entertained them with a great feast.
Joab Murders Abner
22But just after David had sent Abner away in safety, Joab and some of David’s troops returned from a raid, bringing much plunder with them.
24Joab rushed to the king and demanded, “What have you done? What do you mean by letting Abner get away?
26Joab then left David and sent messengers to catch up with Abner, asking him to return. They found him at the well of Sirah and brought him back, though David knew nothing about it.
28When David heard about it, he declared, “I vow by the Lord that I and my kingdom are forever innocent of this crime against Abner son of Ner.
30So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.
David Mourns Abner’s Death
31Then David said to Joab and all those who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on burlap. Mourn for Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the procession to the grave.
“Should Abner have died as fools die?
34Your hands were not bound;
your feet were not chained.
No, you were murdered—
the victim of a wicked plot.”
All the people wept again for Abner.
36This pleased the people very much. In fact, everything the king did pleased them!
38Then King David said to his officials, “Don’t you realize that a great commander has fallen today in Israel?
