2 Samuel 3

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.

A bitter feud raged on between Saul's and David's families. Yet, David's power grew steadily, while Saul's family gradually lost their strength.

And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

In Hebron, David was blessed with sons. His firstborn was Amnon, born of Ahinoam from Jezreel.

And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

His second son, Chileab, was born to Abigail, once the wife of Nabal from Carmel. His third son, Absalom, was the child of Maacah, daughter of King Talmai of Geshur.

And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

Adonijah, Haggith's son, was the fourth, and Shephatiah, born to Abital, was the fifth.

And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

The sixth child, Ithream, was born to David and his wife Eglah in the city of Hebron, a moment of joy and love in their lives.

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.

During the fierce conflict between Saul's and David's families, Abner bravely stood firm, bolstering Saul's side.

And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?

Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, Aiah's daughter. Ishbosheth, upset, asked Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?"

Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, 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?

Abner was deeply hurt and angry at Ishbosheth's words. He exclaimed, "Am I so lowly as a dog's head? Haven't I shown kindness to your father Saul's family, his brothers, and his friends? Haven't I protected you from David? And yet, you accuse me of wrongdoing over this woman today?"

So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

May God deal with Abner severely, if I don't fulfill what the LORD promised to David. I will surely do as I've sworn.

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 Beersheba.

To shift power from Saul's lineage, and establish David's reign across all of Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.

And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.

Unable to respond to Abner, he was silenced by his overwhelming fear.

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.

Abner sent David a message, asking, "Who owns this land?" He proposed, "Let's join forces. I promise to support you and unite all of Israel under your rule."

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 Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

He agreed, "Alright, let's form an alliance. But there's a condition. You can't see me unless you bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to visit."

And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

David sent a message to Saul's son, Ishbosheth, demanding, "Give me back my wife Michal. I paid a hefty price for her: a hundred Philistine foreskins."

And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.

Ishbosheth, filled with determination, forcefully took her away from her husband, the unsuspecting Phaltiel, son of Laish.

And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

Her husband, heart heavy with sorrow, followed her to Bahurim, tears streaming down his face. Abner, seeing his pain, gently told him, "Go back." And so, he turned back.

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:

Abner spoke passionately to Israel's elders, reminding them, "Remember how you once yearned for David to be your king?"

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.

Go ahead, for God has promised through David. He said, "With David's help, I will rescue my people, Israel, from the Philistines and all their foes."

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.

Abner passionately shared his thoughts with Benjamin, then he went to David in Hebron, expressing all that felt right for Israel and Benjamin's entire family.

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.

Abner and his twenty men arrived at Hebron to meet David. In their honor, David threw a warm and welcoming feast.

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.

Abner promised David, "I'll rally all of Israel to pledge their loyalty to you, my king, so you can rule over everything your heart yearns for." David let Abner go, and he left in peace.

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.

David's men and Joab returned victorious from battle, carrying with them abundant spoils. But Abner wasn't there in Hebron with David; he had been sent away and had left peacefully.

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.

When Joab and his troops returned, they were informed, "Abner, Ner's son, visited the king. He was dismissed peacefully and has left."

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?

Joab approached the king, his voice filled with disbelief, "What have you done? Abner was here with you. Why did you let him leave? Now, he's completely gone."

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.

You're aware of Abner, Ner's son, right? He's here to trick you, to track your every move, and to pry into all your affairs.

And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

When Joab left David's presence, he secretly sent messengers to bring Abner back from Sirah's well, unbeknownst to David.

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 Asahel his brother.

When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab lured him into a private conversation at the city gate. In the midst of their quiet talk, Joab struck him under the rib, ending his life. This was his revenge for the death of his brother, Asahel.

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:

Upon hearing the news, David declared with deep conviction, "I and my kingdom stand innocent before the Lord, forever free from the bloodshed of Abner, Ner's son."

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.

May the guilt for Abner's blood fall on Joab's head and on his whole family. May Joab's family never be without someone with a running sore or a skin disease, someone who has to lean on a crutch, someone who dies by the sword, or someone who goes hungry.

So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

Driven by grief and revenge, Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner, who had taken the life of their beloved brother Asahel during the fierce battle at Gibeon.

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.

David, with a heavy heart, told Joab and his people, "Tear your clothes, wear sackcloth, and grieve for Abner." And David, the king himself, walked behind the funeral procession in deep sorrow.

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.

Abner was laid to rest in Hebron. The king, overcome with sorrow, cried out at Abner's grave, his tears mirrored by the people.

And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

The king mourned deeply for Abner, questioning, "Did Abner meet his end like a mere fool?"

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.

Your hands were free, your feet unchained. Yet, like a man falling before evil, you too fell. And everyone cried for you once more.

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 ought else, till the sun be down.

As everyone urged David to eat during daylight, he passionately vowed, "May God punish me severely if I even nibble on bread or anything else before sunset."

And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

Everyone noticed and felt joy, for everything the king did brought happiness to the people.

For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

Everyone, including all of Israel, realized that day that the king had no hand in the killing of Abner, Ner's son.

And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

The king spoke to his servants with a heavy heart, "Don't you realize? Today, we've lost a noble prince, a great man in Israel."

And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

Today, even as a crowned king, I feel weak. The sons of Zeruiah are too much for me to handle. But I trust that the Lord will deal with those who do evil, repaying them for their wicked deeds.