NOW there was long war between the house of Sha'ul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Sha'ul waxed weaker and weaker.
And unto David were sons born in Chevron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Achiyno'am the Yizre'e'liyth;
And his second, Kil'av, of Aviygayil the woman of Naval the Karmeliy; and the third, Avshalom the son of Ma`akah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
And the fourth, Adoniyahu the son of Chaggiyith; and the fifth, Shephatyahu the son of Aviytal;
And the sixth, Yithre'am, by Eglah David's woman. These were born to David in Chevron.
And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Sha'ul and the house of David, that Avner made himself strong for the house of Sha'ul.
And Sha'ul had a concubine, whose name was Ritspah, the daughter of Ayah: and Iysh-Bosheth said to Avner, Wherefore have you gone in unto my father's concubine?
Then was Avner very wroth for the words of Iysh-Bosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Yahudah do show kindness this day unto the house of Sha'ul your father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David, that you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman?
So do Elohiym to Avner, and more also, except, as Yahuah has sworn to David, even so I do to him;
To translate the kingdom from the house of Sha'ul, and to set up the throne of David over Yashar'el and over Yahudah, from Dan even to Be'er Sheva.
And he could not answer Avner a word again, because he feared him.
And Avner sent messengers to El-David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Cut your covenant with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring about all Yashar'el unto you.
And he said, Well; I will cut a covenant with you: but one thing I require of you, that is, You shall not see my face, except you first bring את Miykal Sha'ul's daughter, when you come to see my face.
And David sent messengers to Iysh-Bosheth Sha'ul's son, saying, Deliver me my woman Miykal, which I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of the Pelishtiym.
And Iysh-Bosheth sent, and took her from her man, even from Paltiy'el the son of Layish.
And her man went with her along weeping behind her to Bachuriym. Then said Avner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
And Avner had communication with the elders of Yashar'el, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
Now then do it: for Yahuah has spoken of El-David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Yashar'el out of the hand of the Pelishtiym, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
And Avner also spoke in the ears of Binyamiyn: and Avner went also to speak in the ears of David in Chevron את all that seemed good to Yashar'el, and that seemed good to the whole house of Binyamiyn.
So Avner came to El-David to Chevron, and twenty men with him. And David made Avner and the men that were with him a feast.
And Avner said unto El-David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Yashar'el unto my el-adoniy the king, that they may cut a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires. And David sent Avner away; and he went in peace.
And, behold, the servants of David and Yo'av came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Avner was not with David in Chevron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
When Yo'av and all the host that was with him were come, they told Yo'av, saying, Avner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
Then Yo'av came to the king, and said, What have you done? behold, Avner came unto you; why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone?
You know Avner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know את all that you do.
And when Yo'av was come out from David, he sent messengers after Avner, which brought him again from the well of Cirah: but David knew it not.
And when Avner was returned to Chevron, Yo'av 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 Asah'el his brother.
And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahuah forever from the blood of Avner the son of Ner:
Let it rest on the head of Yo'av, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Yo'av one that has an issue, or that is a leper, or that leans on a staff, or that falls on the sword, or that lacks bread.
So Yo'av and Aviyshai his brother slew Avner, because he had slain their brother Asah'el at Giv'on in the battle.
And David said to Yo'av, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Avner. And King David himself followed the coffin.
And they buried Avner in Chevron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Avner; and all the people wept.
And the king lamented over Avner, and said, Died Avner as a fool dies?
Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters: as a man falls before wicked men, so fell you. And all the people wept again over him.
And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David swore, saying, So do Elohiym to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
For all the people and all Yashar'el understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Avner the son of Ner.
And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Yashar'el?
And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Tseruyah be too hard for me: Yahuah shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.