Holy Bible
(King James Version)
Second
Samuel: Chapter 3
1. NOW there was long war
between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed
stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2. And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon,
of A-hin-o-am the Jez-reel-i-tess;
3. And his second, Chi-le-ab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the
Carmelite; and the third, Ab-sa-lom the son of Ma-a-cha the daughter of
Tal-mai king of Geshur;
4. And the fourth, Ad-o-ni-jah the son of Haggith; and the fifth,
Sheph-a-ti-ah the son of A-bi-tal;
5. And the sixth, Ith-re-am, by Eglah David's wife. These were
born to David in Hebron.
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
Ai-ah: and Ish-both-eth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto
my father's concubine?
8. Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosh-eth, and said, Am
I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness 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 chargest me to-day
with a fault concerning this woman?
9. So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to
David, even so I do to 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 Beer-sheba.
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? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand
shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13. And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I
require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face except thou first
bring Mi-chal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
14. And David sent messengers to Ish-bosh-eth Saul's son, saying,
Deliver me my wife Mi-chal, which I espoused to me for an hundred
foreskins of the Philistines.
15. And Ish-bosh-eth sent, and took her from her husband, even from
Phal-ti-el the son of La-ish.
16. And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Ba-hu-rim.
Then said Abner 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 hath spoken of David, saying, By the
hand of my servant 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 spake 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 Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
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 league with thee, and
that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And
David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
22. And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a
troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with
David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
23. When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told
Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent
him away, and he is gone in peace.
24. Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold,
Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is
quite gone?
25. Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and
to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou
doest.
26. And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after
Abner, which brought him again from the well of Si-rah: but David knew
it not.
27. And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the
gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib,
that he died, for the blood of As-a-hel his brother.
28. And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are
guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of
Ner.
29. Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and
let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or
that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the
sword, or that lacketh bread.
30. So Joab and Ab-i-shai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain
their brother As-a-hel at Gibeon in the battle.
31. And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him,
Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.
And king David himself followed the bier.
32. And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice,
and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33. And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool
dieth?
34. Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man
falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people
wept again over him.
35. And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was
yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste
bread, or aught else, till the sun be down.
36. And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as
whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37. For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was
not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38. And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a
prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39. And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons
of Zer-u-i-ah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil
according to his wickedness.
Apr. 18. Daily reading
schedule.. go to chapter 4
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Art by: Penny Parker. Visit her site HERE
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