2 Samuel 3:1-11 - The House Of David Grows Stronger

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 Sons were born to David in Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; 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; ⁴ the fourth, Adonijah the son of [his wife] Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of [his wife] Abital; ⁵ and the sixth, Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These [sons] were born to David in Hebron.

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 the daughter of Aiah; and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

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? 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 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 from Dan [in the north] to Beersheba [in the south].” ¹¹ And Ish-bosheth could not say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.