2 Samuel 3:6-21 - Abner Defects To David's Camp
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. 7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ishbosheth said to Abner, Why hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
8 Then Abner was very angry for the words of Ishbosheth and said, Am I a dog's head in regard to Judah? I have shown mercy 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 dost charge me today with iniquity concerning this woman? 9 Let God do to Abner and more also unless, as the LORD has sworn to David, so do I unto him, 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. 11 And he could not answer Abner a word again because he feared him.
12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? And that they should also say, Make thy covenant with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13 And he said, Good; I will make a covenant 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.
14 After this, David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15 So Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel, the son of Laish. 16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then Abner said unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you; 18 now then do it, for the LORD has spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my slave David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines and out of the hand of all their enemies.
19 And Abner also spoke 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. 20 So Abner came to David to Hebron and twenty men with him. And David made a banquet for Abner and the men that were with him.
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 covenant with thee and that thou may reign over all that thy heart desires. And David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.