2 Samuel 3:12-23 - Abner Pledges Support For David
12 Abner sent messengers to David to speak on his behalf. Who owns this country? He asked. Make an agreement with me, he said. Then I will support you and bring all Israel to you.
13 Good! David answered. I will make an agreement with you. But there is one condition: You may not come to see me unless you bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come.
14 David sent messengers to Ishbosheth to give him this message: Give me back my wife Michal! I bought her for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.
15 Ishbosheth sent some of his men to take Michal away from her new husband, Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Paltiel followed Michal and the men all the way to Bahurim. He cried all the way. But he went back home after Abner ordered him to leave.
17 Meanwhile, Abner communicated with the leaders of Israel: For some time now you wanted to make David your king. 18 Do it now! This is what Jehovah said about David: 'I will save my people Israel from the Philistines and all their other enemies through my servant David.'
19 Abner also spoke to the people of Benjamin. Then Abner went directly to David in Hebron. He told him everything Israel and the entire tribe of Benjamin had approved. 20 Twenty men accompanied Abner to see David at Hebron. David had a feast for Abner and his men.
21 Abner told David: I must go now so that I can gather all Israel for you, Your Majesty. They will make an agreement with you. You will rule over all that your heart desires. Then David dismissed Abner, who left peacefully.
22 Just then David's men and Joab came home from a raid with a lot of plunder. Abner had been dismissed, so he was no longer with David in Hebron. 23 Joab came back with the whole army. He was told: Ner's son Abner came to the king. However David dismissed him and Abner left peacefully.