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

¹ And there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David became stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

² And sons were born to David in Hebron. And his first-born was Amnon, the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel. ³ And his second was Chileab, of Abigail of Carmel, the former wife of Nabal. And the third was Absalom, the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. ⁴ And the fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith. And the fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital. ⁵ And the sixth was Ithream, by Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

⁶ And it happened, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, 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 have you gone in to my father's concubine?

⁸ And Abner was very angry over the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, who shows kindness against Judah this day to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David? Am I a dog's head that you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman today? ⁹ So may God do to Abner, and more also, if I do not do to David as Jehovah has sworn, ¹⁰ to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba. ¹¹ And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.