2 Samuel 3

Beef Runs Long, but David Rises

1 The war between Saul’s people and David’s people dragged on, but David kept getting’ stronger while Saul’s crew got weaker.

David’s Family Expands

2 David had sons while he was in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, from Ahinoam of Jezreel.

3 Second was Chileab, from Abigail (Nabal’s widow). Third was Absalom, son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.

4 Fourth was Adonijah, son of Haggith. Fifth was Shephatiah, son of Abital.

5 Sixth was Ithream, from Eglah, David’s wife. All born in Hebron.

Abner Switches Sides

6 During the war, Abner was getting’ strong in Saul’s house.

7 Saul had a concubine named Rizpah. Ish-bosheth asked Abner, “Why are you sleeping with her?”

8 That set Abner off. “You accusing me of disrespect, I been loyal to your daddy, his family, and did not flip to David, and this what I get?”

9 “May God deal with me if I do not help David take this whole kingdom, just like God promised.”

10 “From Dan to Beersheba, David is supposed to rule, I am going to make that happen.”

11 Ish-bosheth was too shook to say a word back.

Abner Makes the Call

12 Abner sent messengers to David: “Let us cut a deal. I will bring all Israel under your rule.”

13 David said, “Cool, but I got one condition: Do not come unless you bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, my first wife.”

14 David sent word to Ish-bosheth, “Give me back my wife Michal, who I paid for with Philistine foreskins.”

15 So Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her current man, Paltiel.

16 Dude followed her, crying all the way to Bahurim. Abner told him, “Go home, bruh.” So he left.

Abner Starts Flipping Israel

17 Abner talked to the elders of Israel: “You all been wanting David as king. Now is the time.

18 God said, ‘David is the one to save My people from the Philistines and their enemies.’”

19 Abner also spoke to Benjamin’s tribe, then went to David in Hebron to confirm support from all Israel.

David and Abner Meet

20 Abner showed up with 20 men. David threw a feast for them.

21 Abner said, “Let me go gather all Israel to back you as king.” David sent him off in peace.

Joab Is Not Feeling It

22 Right after Abner left, Joab and David’s crew came back from a raid with a lot of stuff.

23 Joab heard Abner had visited and David let him go in peace.

24 Joab went off. “What you doing letting Abner go, He came to spy!”

25 “You know him, he is not really about peace.”

Joab’s Revenge

26 Without David knowing, Joab sent messengers and had Abner brought back from the well at Sirah.

27 When Abner came, Joab pulled him aside like he wanted to talk. Then he stabbed him in the stomach, killed him for his brother Asahel.

David Denounces the Hit

28 When David heard, he said, “I am not had nothing to do with that. My hands and my kingdom are clean of Abner’s blood.”

29 “May Joab’s house carry the curse, always having somebody sick, broke, or dying by the sword.”

30 Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he killed Asahel in battle.

Mourning Abner

31 David told Joab, “Tear your clothes, wear sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.” David himself walked behind the casket.

32 They buried Abner in Hebron. David cried at the grave, and so did all the people.

33 David sang a funeral song: “Should Abner have died like a fool?”

34 “Your hands were not tied, your feet were not chained. You fell like a man ambushed by cowards.” And the crowd mourned even harder.

David Gains the People’s Trust

35 They tried to get David to eat before sunset, but he swore, “I will not eat till the sun goes down.”

36 The people noticed, and respected it. Everything David did that day looked right to the people.

37 That is when they knew for sure David had no part in Abner’s death.

38 David said, “Do you not all know a great man just died today in Israel?”

39 “I am the anointed king, but I am still weak, those sons of Zeruiah (Joab and Abishai) are too wild. May the Lord repay the evil Joab did.”