Hubo larga guerra^a entre la casa de Saúl y la casa de David; pero David se iba fortaleciendo, mientras que la casa de Saúl se iba debilitando.

2 ^aA David le nacieron hijos en Hebrón; su primogénito fue Amnón, hijo de Ahinoam^b la jezreelita; 3 el segundo, Quileab, de Abigail, viuda¹ de Nabal de Carmel; el tercero, Absalón, hijo de Maaca, hija de Talmai, rey de Gesur^a; 4 el cuarto, Adonías, hijo de Haguit^a; el quinto, Sefatías, hijo de Abital, 5 y el sexto, Itream, de Egla, mujer de David. Estos le nacieron a David en Hebrón.

6 Sucedió que durante la guerra que había entre la casa de Saúl y la casa de David, Abner se fortaleció en la casa de Saúl^a. 7 Y Saúl había tenido una concubina cuyo nombre era Rizpa, hija de Aja^a; y dijo Is-boset¹ a Abner: ¿Por qué te has llegado a la concubina de mi padre? 8 Entonces Abner se enojó mucho por las palabras de Is-boset, y dijo: ¿Acaso soy yo cabeza de perro^a que pertenece a Judá? Hoy he mostrado bondad hacia la casa de tu padre Saúl, hacia sus hermanos y hacia sus amigos, y no te he entregado en manos de David; sin embargo, tú me acusas hoy de una ofensa con esta¹ mujer. 9 Así haga Dios a Abner, y aún más^a, si lo que¹ el SEÑOR ha jurado a David no lo obtengo para él^b: 10 transferir el reino de la casa de Saúl y establecer el trono de David sobre Israel y sobre Judá desde Dan hasta Beerseba^a. 11 Y él ya no pudo responder a Abner ni una palabra, porque le temía.

12 Entonces Abner envió mensajeros a David de su parte, diciendo: ¿De quién es la tierra? Y que dijeran también: Haz tu pacto conmigo, y he aquí, mi mano será contigo para traer a ti a todo Israel. 13 Y él respondió: Muy bien. Haré pacto contigo, pero una cosa demando de ti¹: No verás mi rostro^a a menos de que cuando vengas a verme² traigas a Mical, la hija de Saúl^b. 14 Y David envió mensajeros a Is-boset, el hijo de Saúl, diciendo: Dame a mi mujer Mical, con la cual me desposé por cien prepucios de los filisteos^a. 15 Is-boset, pues, envió a quitársela a su marido, a Paltiel¹, hijo de Lais. 16 Pero su marido fue con ella, llorando mientras iba, y la siguió hasta Bahurim^a. Entonces Abner le dijo: Ve, vuélvete. Y él se volvió.

17 Abner consultó¹ con los ancianos de Israel^a, diciendo: Hace tiempo que buscabais a David para que fuera rey sobre vosotros. 18 Ahora pues, hacedlo. Porque el SEÑOR ha hablado acerca de David, diciendo: «Por mano de mi siervo David salvaré¹ a mi pueblo Israel de mano de los filisteos^a y de mano de todos sus enemigos». 19 Habló también Abner a oídos de los de Benjamín; Abner además fue a hablar a oídos de David en Hebrón de todo lo que parecía bien a¹ Israel y a toda la casa de Benjamín^a.

20 Llegó Abner adonde estaba David, en Hebrón, y con él veinte hombres. Y David preparó un banquete para Abner y los hombres que lo acompañaban. 21 Y Abner dijo a David: Me levantaré e iré a reunir a todo Israel junto a mi señor el rey para que hagan un pacto contigo^a, y seas rey sobre todo lo que tu corazón¹ desea^b. Entonces David despidió a Abner, y él se fue en paz.

22 He aquí, los siervos de David y Joab vinieron de hacer una incursión^a trayendo consigo mucho botín; pero Abner no estaba con David en Hebrón, porque él lo había despedido y se había ido en paz. 23 Cuando llegó Joab y todo el ejército que estaba con él, le dieron aviso a Joab, diciendo: Abner, hijo de Ner, vino al rey, y él lo ha despedido y se ha ido en paz. 24 Entonces vino Joab al rey y dijo: ¿Qué has hecho? He aquí, Abner vino a ti; ¿por qué, pues, lo has despedido y él ya se ha ido? 25 Conoces a Abner, hijo de Ner, que vino a engañarte y saber de tus salidas y de tus entradas, y a enterarse de todo lo que haces^a.

26 Y saliendo Joab de donde estaba David, envió mensajeros tras Abner, y lo hicieron volver desde el pozo de Sira; pero David no lo sabía. 27 Cuando Abner regresó a Hebrón, Joab lo llevó aparte en medio de la puerta para hablarle en privado, y allí, por causa de la sangre de Asael su hermano^a, lo hirió en el vientre y murió. 28 Cuando David lo supo después, dijo: Yo y mi reino somos inocentes para siempre delante del SEÑOR de la sangre de Abner, hijo de Ner. 29 Caiga¹ su sangre sobre la cabeza de Joab y sobre toda la casa de su padre^a, y nunca falte en la casa de Joab quien padezca flujo, ni quien sea leproso^b, ni quien se sostenga con báculo, ni quien muera a espada, ni quien carezca de pan. 30 Así pues, Joab y su hermano Abisai mataron a Abner porque él había dado muerte a Asael^a, hermano de ellos, en la batalla de Gabaón.

31 Entonces David dijo a Joab y a todo el pueblo que estaba con él: Rasgad vuestros vestidos^a, y ceñíos de cilicio, y haced duelo delante de Abner. Y el rey David iba detrás del féretro. 32 Sepultaron, pues, a Abner en Hebrón; y el rey alzó su voz^a y lloró junto al sepulcro de Abner, y lloró también todo el pueblo. 33 Y entonó el rey una elegía^a por Abner, y dijo:¿Había de morir Abner como muere un insensato?

35 Entonces todo el pueblo se llegó a David para persuadirlo a¹ que comiera pan mientras aún era de día^a; pero David juró, diciendo: Así me haga Dios y aun más, si pruebo pan o cosa alguna^b antes de ponerse el sol^c. 36 Y todo el pueblo reparó en ello, y les agradó¹, pues todo lo que el rey hacía agradaba a² todo el pueblo. 37 Así todo el pueblo y todo Israel comprendió aquel día que no había sido el deseo del rey de que se diera muerte a Abner, hijo de Ner. 38 Entonces el rey dijo a sus siervos: ¿No sabéis que un príncipe y un gran hombre ha caído hoy en Israel? 39 Hoy soy débil, aunque ungido rey^a; y estos hombres, hijos de Sarvia, son más duros que yo^b. Que el SEÑOR pague al malhechor conforme a su maldad^c.

^aThere 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 ^aSons were born to David in Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, by ^bAhinoam of Jezreel; 3 his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of his wife ^aMaacah, daughter of Talmai the king of ^bGeshur; 4 the fourth, ^aAdonijah 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, ^aAbner was proving himself strong in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had a ¹concubine whose name was ^aRizpah the daughter of Aiah; and Ish-bosheth said to Abner,² “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, “^aAm I a dog’s head a despicable traitor that belongs to Judah? ¹Today 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 ^aMay God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David ^bjust as the LORD has sworn to him, 10 ^ato transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah from ^bDan 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.

12 Then Abner sent messengers to David who was in his place at Hebron, saying, “Whose is the land? Make your covenant (treaty) with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.” 13 David said, “Good! I will make a covenant (treaty) with you, but I require one thing of you: ^ayou shall not see my face unless you ^bfirst bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see ¹me.” 14 So David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “¹Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was ²betrothed ^afor the price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 So Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish to whom Saul had given her. 16 But her husband went with her, weeping continually behind her as far as ^aBahurim. Then Abner told him, “Go, return.” And he did so.

17 Abner talked with ^athe elders (tribal leaders) of Israel, saying, “In times past you were seeking for David to be king over you. 18 Now then, do it and make him king! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, ‘^aBy the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.’” 1+@Sam 9:16 19 Abner also spoke ¹to the men of Benjamin. Then he also went to ²tell David at Hebron everything that seemed good ³to Israel and to ^athe entire house of Benjamin.

20 So Abner came to David at Hebron, and brought twenty men along with him. And David prepared a feast for Abner and the men with him. 21 Abner said to David, “Let me stand up and go, and ^agather all Israel to my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant (treaty) with you, and that ^byou may reign over all that your soul desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

22 Then ^athe servants of David came with Joab from a raid and brought a great quantity of spoil with them; but Abner was not with David at Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, they told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.” 24 Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you; why did you send him away, so that he is already gone? 25 You know Abner the son of Ner, that he only came to deceive you with flattering words and to learn of ^ayour going out and coming in, and to find out what you are doing.”

26 When Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David knew nothing about Joab’s action. 27 So when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside to the middle of the gate to speak to him privately, and there ^ahe struck Abner in the abdomen so that he died, ¹to avenge the blood of Asahel, Joab’s brother. 28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 ^aLet ¹the guilt fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house (family) ; and may there never disappear from the house of Joab ^bone who suffers with a discharge or one who is a leper or one who walks with a crutch being unfit for war, or one who falls by the sword, or one who lacks food.” 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother murdered Abner ^abecause he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people with him, “^aTear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron; and the king raised his voice and wept at ^athe grave of Abner, and all the people wept. 33 And ^athe king sang a dirge (funeral song) over Abner and said,“Should Abner the great warrior die as a fool dies?

35 All the people came ^ato urge David to eat food while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “^bMay God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else ^cbefore the sun sets.” 36 And all the people took notice of it and it ¹pleased them, just as everything that the king did pleased all the people. 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the will of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death. 38 Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39 Today I am ^aweak, though anointed king; these men, the ^bsons of Zeruiah, are too difficult for me. ^cMay the LORD repay the evildoer Joab in accordance with his wickedness!”

Now ^athere was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; and David grew steadily stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker continually.

2 ^aSons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, by ^bAhinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 and his second, Chileab, by Abigail the ¹widow of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of ^aMaacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of ^bGeshur; 4 and the fourth, ^aAdonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David at Hebron.

6 It came about while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David that ^aAbner was making himself strong in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was ^aRizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and ¹Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” 8 Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “^aAm I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hands of David; and yet today you charge me with a guilt concerning the woman. 9 ^aMay God do so to Abner, and more also, if ^bas the LORD has sworn to David, I do not accomplish this for him, 10 ^ato transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, ^bfrom Dan even to Beersheba.” 11 And he could no longer answer Abner a word, because he was afraid of him.

12 Then Abner sent messengers to David in his place, saying, “Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel over to you.” 13 He said, “Good! I will make a covenant with you, but I demand one thing of you, ¹namely, ^ayou shall not see my face unless you ^bfirst bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see ²me.” 14 So David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was betrothed ^afor a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from ¹Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 But her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her as far as ^aBahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” So he returned.

17 Now Abner had ¹consultation with ^athe elders of Israel, saying, “In times past you were seeking for David to be king over you. 18 Now then, do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, ‘^aBy the hand of My servant David ¹I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’” 19 Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin; and in addition Abner went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to ^athe whole house of Benjamin.

20 Then Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. 21 Abner said to David, “Let me arise and go and ^agather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that ^byou may be king over all that your soul desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

22 And behold, ^athe servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, they told Joab, saying, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.” 24 Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you; why then have you sent him away and he is already gone? 25 You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you and to learn of ^ayour going out and coming in and to find out all that you are doing.”

26 When Joab came out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David did not know it. 27 So when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him privately, and there ^ahe struck him in the belly so that he died on account of the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 Afterward when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are innocent before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 ^aMay it ¹fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and may there not fail from the house of Joab ^bone who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who takes hold of a distaff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.” 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner ^abecause he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “^aTear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier. 32 Thus they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at ^athe grave of Abner, and all the people wept. 33 ^aThe king chanted a lament for Abner and said,“Should Abner die as a fool dies?

35 Then all the people came ^ato ¹persuade David to eat bread while it was still day; but David vowed, saying, “^bMay God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else ^cbefore the sun goes down.” 36 Now all the people took note of it, and it ¹pleased them, just as everything the king did ²pleased all the people. 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the will of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death. 38 Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39 I am ^aweak today, though anointed king; and these men ^bthe sons of Zeruiah are too difficult for me. ^cMay the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil.”