1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David was long and drawn out, with David growing stronger and the house of Saul becoming weaker.
1 Now (A)there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; and David grew steadily stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker continually.
1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
1 After this, a state of protracted war existed between Saul's dynasty and David's dynasty, and the dynasty of David continued to grow and become strong while the dynasty of Saul continued to grow weaker.
1 There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; but David grew steadily stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker [to the point of being powerless].
2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
2 During this time, sons were born to David while he was living in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam from Jezreel,
2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel;
3 his second was Chileab,by Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite;the third was Absalom,son of Maacah the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;(B)
3 and his second, Chileab, by Abigail the (a)widow of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of (D)Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of (E)Geshur;
3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
3 his second was Chileab by Abigail, widow of Nabal from Carmel, his third was Absalom by Maacah, daughter of King Talmai from Geshur,
3 his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of [his wife] Maacah, daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur;
5 and the sixth, Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David at Hebron.
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
5 and his sixth was Ithream by David's wife Eglah. They were all born to David in Hebron.
5 and the sixth, Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These [sons] were born to David in Hebron.
6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner kept acquiring more power in the house of Saul.(E)
6 It came about while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David that (G)Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.
6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
6 While war continued between the dynasties of Saul and David, Abner was growing in influence within the dynasty of Saul.
6 Now while war continued between the houses of Saul and David, Abner was proving himself strong in the house of Saul.
7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah(F) daughter of Aiah, and Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”
7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was (H)Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and (b)Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”
7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
7 Meanwhile, Saul had a mistress named Rizpah, who was the daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth asked Abner, "Why did you have sex with my father's mistress?"
8 Abner was very angry about Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I a dog’s head(a)(G) who belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I’ve been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends and haven’t handed you over to David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!
8 Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “(I)Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hands of David; and yet today you charge me with a guilt concerning the woman.
8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
8 What Ish-bosheth said made Abner furious, so he replied, "A dog's head for Judah is that what I am? Up until today I've kept on showing loyalty to your father Saul's dynasty, to his relatives and friends, and I haven't turned you over to David, but you're charging me today with moral guilt regarding this woman!
8 Then Abner was very angry at the words of Ish-bosheth, and he said, “Am I a dog’s head [a despicable traitor] that belongs to Judah? (c)Today I show loyalty and kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and his friends, by not having you handed over to David; and yet you charge me today with guilt concerning this woman.
9 May God punish Abner and do so severely if I don’t do for David what the Lord swore to him:
9 (J)May God do so to Abner, and more also, if (K)as the Lord has sworn to David, I do not accomplish this for him,
9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
9 Therefore may God do to me and more also! just as the LORD has promised to David, since I'm doing this for him:
9 May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David just as the Lord has sworn to him,
10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah(H) from Dan to Beer-sheba.”
10 (L)to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, (M)from Dan even to Beersheba.”
10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.
10 I will take away the kingdom from the dynasty of Saul by making the throne of David firm over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beer-sheba!"
10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah from Dan [in the north] to Beersheba [in the south].”
11 Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner because he was afraid of him.
11 And he could no longer answer Abner a word, because he was afraid of him.
11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
11 Ish-bosheth couldn't say another word in response to Abner, because he was terrified of him.
11 And Ish-bosheth could not say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
12 Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to hand all Israel over to you.”
12 Then Abner sent messengers to David in his place, saying, “Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”
12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
12 So Abner sent messengers to David at Hebron to ask him, "Who owns this land? Cut a deal with me, and look! I'll lend my hand in bringing all of Israel over to you!"
12 Then Abner sent messengers to David [who was] in his place [at Hebron], saying, “Whose is the land? Make your covenant (treaty) with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”
13 David replied, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there’s one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal(I) here when you come to see me.”
13 He said, “Good! I will make a covenant with you, but I demand one thing of you, (c)namely, (N)you shall not see my face unless you (O)first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see (d)me.”
13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
13 David replied, "Sounds good to me! I'll cut a deal with you under one condition: you're not to show yourself in my presence unless you bring Saul's daughter with you when you come to see me."
14 Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal. I was engaged to her for the price of 100 Philistine foreskins.”(J)
14 So David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was betrothed (P)for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”
14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
14 Then David sent a delegation to Saul's son Ish-bosheth to say, "Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was engaged with a dowry of 100 Philistine foreskins."
16 Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he went back.
16 But her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her as far as (Q)Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” So he returned.
16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
16 Her husband accompanied her, crying as he followed after her all the way to Bahurim, where Abner told him, "Leave! Go back!" So he went back.
16 But her husband went with her, weeping continually behind her as far as Bahurim. Then Abner told him, “Go, return.” And he did so.
17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel: “In the past you wanted David to be king over you.
17 Now Abner had (f)consultation with (R)the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past you were seeking for David to be king over you.
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
17 Later, Abner had a talk with the elders of Israel. He said, "In the past you were looking to see David made king over you.
17 Abner talked with the elders (tribal leaders) of Israel, saying, “In times past you were seeking for David to be king over you.
18 Now take action, because the Lord has spoken concerning David: ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the power of the Philistines and the power of all Israel’s enemies.’”
18 Now then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘(S)By the hand of My servant David (g)I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’”
18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
18 So do it, then! Because the LORD has said this about David: "Through my servant David I will save my people Israel from the control of the Philistines and from all of their enemies.'"
19 Abner also informed the Benjaminites and went to Hebron to inform David about all that was agreed on by Israel and the whole house of Benjamin.(L)
19 Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin; and in addition Abner went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to (T)the whole house of Benjamin.
19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
19 Abner also addressed the tribe of Benjamin. Furthermore, with David's permission, Abner said anything that seemed like it would be good for Israel and for the entire tribe of Benjamin.
20 When Abner and 20 men came to David at Hebron, David held a banquet for him and his men.
20 Then Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.
20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
20 Afterwards, Abner brought 20 soldiers to David at Hebron, and David threw a party for Abner and the men who were with him.
20 So Abner came to David at Hebron, and [brought] twenty men along with him. And David prepared a feast for Abner and the men with him.
21 Abner said to David, “Let me now go and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you,(M) and you will rule over all you desire.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.
21 Abner said to David, “Let me arise and go and (U)gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that (V)you may be king over all that your soul desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
21 So Abner told David, "Give me permission to go out and rally all of Israel to your majesty the king so they can enter into a formal agreement with you to reign over everything that your heart desires." So David sent Abner off, and he went away in peace.
21 Abner said to David, “Let me stand up and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant (treaty) with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
22 Just then David’s soldiers and Joab returned from a raid and brought a large amount of plundered goods with them. Abner was not with David in Hebron because David had dismissed him, and he had gone in peace.
22 And behold, (W)the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
22 Right about then, David's servants returned from a raid, bringing plenty of war booty with them, but Abner wasn't in Hebron with David, since David had sent him away and Abner had left in peace.
22 Then the servants of David came with Joab from a raid and brought a great quantity of spoil with them; but Abner was not with David at Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
23 When Joab and all his army arrived, Joab was informed, “Abner son of Ner came to see the king, the king dismissed him, and he went in peace.”
23 When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, they told Joab, saying, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.”
23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
23 When Joab returned with his entire army, Joab was informed, "Ner's son Abner visited the king, and he has dismissed him. He has left in peace."
23 When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, they told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.”
24 Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look here, Abner came to you. Why did you dismiss him? Now he’s getting away.
24 Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you; why then have you sent him away and he is already gone?
24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
24 So Joab approached the king and asked him, "What have you done? Look, Abner came to you! What's this? You sent him away? He's long gone now!
24 Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you; why did you send him away, so that he is already gone?
25 You know that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to find out about your activities and everything you’re doing.”
25 You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you and to learn of (X)your going out and coming in and to find out all that you are doing.”
25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
25 You know Ner's son Abner came to mislead you, to learn your troop movements, and to learn everything you're doing!"
25 You know Abner the son of Ner, that he [only] came to deceive you [with flattering words] and to learn of your going out and coming in, and to find out what you are doing.”
26 Then Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought him back from the well(b) of Sirah, but David was unaware of it.
26 When Joab came out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David did not know it.
26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
26 As soon as Joab left David, Joab sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern at Sirah, but David was not aware of this.
26 When Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David knew nothing [about Joab’s action].
27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside to the middle of the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died in revenge for the death of Asahel,(c) Joab’s brother.(N)
27 So when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him privately, and there (Y)he struck him in the belly so that he died on account of the blood of Asahel his brother.
27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab brought him aside within the gateway to talk to him alone and then stabbed him in the abdomen. So he died for shedding the blood of Joab's brother Asahel.
28 David heard about it later and said: “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.
28 Afterward when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are innocent before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
28 Later on, David found out about it and proclaimed, "Let me and my kingdom remain guiltless forever in the LORD's presence for the death of Ner's son Abner.
28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
29 May it hang over Joab’s head and his father’s whole house, and may the house of Joab never be without someone who has a discharge or a skin disease,(O) or a man who can only work a spindle,(d) or someone who falls by the sword or starves.”
29 (Z)May it (h)fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and may there not fail from the house of Joab (AA)one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who takes hold of a distaff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”
29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
29 May judgment rest on Joab's head and on his father's entire household. May Joab's dynasty never be without one who has a discharge, who is a leper, who walks with a cane, who commits suicide, or who lacks food!"
29 Let (k)the guilt fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house (family); and may there never disappear from the house of Joab one who suffers with a discharge or one who is a leper or one who walks with a crutch [being unfit for war], or one who falls by the sword, or one who lacks food.”
30 Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.(P)
30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner (AB)because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.
30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
30 He said this because Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner after he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.
30 So Joab and Abishai his brother murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.
31 David then ordered Joab and all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth,(Q) and mourn over Abner.” And King David walked behind the funeral procession.(e)
31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “(AC)Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier.
31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
31 David ordered Joab and all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn for Abner." King David walked behind the funeral procession,
31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier.
32 When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept,
32 Thus they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at (AD)the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.
32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
32 and they buried Abner at Hebron. The king wept loudly at Abner's grave, and all the people wept, too.
32 They buried Abner in Hebron; and the king raised his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.
34 Your hands were not bound,your feet not placed in bronze shackles.You fell like one who falls victim to criminals.And all the people wept over him even more.
34 “Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put in fetters;As one falls before the (i)wicked, you have fallen.”And all the people wept again over him.
34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
34 Your hands were not bound, nor were your feet in irons. As one falls before the wicked, you have fallen."
34 “Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put in fetters;As a man falls before the wicked, so you have fallen.”And all the people wept again over him.
35 Then they came to urge David to eat bread while it was still day, but David took an oath: “May God punish me and do so severely if I taste bread or anything else before sunset!”(S)
35 Then all the people came (AF)to (j)persuade David to eat bread while it was still day; but David vowed, saying, “(AG)May God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else (AH)before the sun goes down.”
35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
35 Then all the people cried again because of him. Everyone tried to persuade David to have a meal while there was still daylight, but David took an oath by saying, "May God to do like this to me and more, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!"
35 All the people came to urge David to eat food while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “May God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets.”
36 All the people took note of this, and it pleased them. In fact, everything the king did pleased them.
36 Now all the people took note of it, and it (k)pleased them, just as everything the king did (l)pleased all the people.
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
36 Everybody took note of this and was very pleased, just as everything else the king did pleased everyone.
37 On that day all the troops and all Israel were convinced that the king had no part in the killing of Abner son of Ner.
37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the will of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
37 As a result, the entire army and all of Israel understood that day that the king had nothing to do with the murder of Ner's son Abner.
37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the will of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death.
38 Then the king said to his soldiers, “You must know that a great leader has fallen in Israel today.
38 Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?
38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
38 The king reminded his staff, "Don't you know that a prince and a great man has fallen today in Israel?
38 Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?
39 As for me, even though I am the anointed king, I have little power today. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too fierce for me.(T) May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil!”(U)
39 I am (AI)weak today, though anointed king; and these men (AJ)the sons of Zeruiah are too difficult for me. (AK)May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil.”
39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
39 Today, even though I'm anointed as king, I'm weak. These men, sons of Zeruiah, are too difficult for me. May the LORD repay the one who acts wickedly in accordance with his wickedness!"
39 Today I am weak, though anointed king; these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too difficult for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer [Joab] in accordance with his wickedness!”
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