2 Samuel 3

1Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: and David waxed stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

1The war between Saul’s family and David’s family lasted a long time. David kept getting stronger, while Saul’s family kept getting weaker.

2And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his first-born was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

2While David was in Hebron, several sons were born to him. His firstborn was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel.

3and 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;

3His second son was Chileab, whose mother wasigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. His third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur.

4and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

4The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.

5and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

5The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was David’s wife Eglah. These sons were all born to David in Hebron.

6And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul.

6As the war continued between the families of Saul and David, Abner became a very powerful leader among those loyal to Saul.

7Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: andIsh-boshethsaid to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?

7Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. One day Ish-bosheth asked Abner, 'Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?'

8Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head that belongeth to Judah? This day do I show kindness unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David; and yet thou chargest me this day with a fault concerning this woman.

8Abner became very angry at Ish-bosheth’s question. He shouted, 'Am I a dog’s head working for Judah? I have been loyal to your father Saul, his family, and his friends. I haven't handed you over to David. Yet today you accuse me of doing something wrong with this woman!'

9God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Jehovah hath sworn to David, I do not even so to him;

9'May God punish me severely if I don't do for David what the LORD has promised him!' Abner continued.

10to transfer 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.

10'I will take the kingdom away from Saul’s family and establish David’s throne over both Israel and Judah, from Dan in the north all the way to Beer-sheba in the south.'

11And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

11Ish-bosheth was too afraid of Abner to say another word.

12And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? sayingalso, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

12Then Abner sent messengers to David to speak for him, asking, 'Whose land is this? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all of Israel over to your side.'

13And 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.

13David replied, 'Good. I will make a treaty with you. But I have one requirement: You must not come to see me unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal with you.'

14And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

14David also sent messengers to Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, saying, 'Give me back my wife Michal. I paid for her with the lives of a hundred Philistines.'

15And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish.

15So Ish-bosheth gave the order to take Michal away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.

16And her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return: and he returned.

16Her husband followed her, weeping as he went, all the way to Bahurim. But Abner told him, 'Go back home!' So he went back.

17And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, In times past ye sought for David to be king over you:

17Abner met with the leaders of Israel and told them, 'For a long time you have wanted David to be your king.

18now then do it; for Jehovah 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.

18Now is the time to do it! For the LORD said about David, "I will use my servant David to save my people Israel from the Philistines and all their other enemies."'

19And 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 to the whole house of Benjamin.

19Abner also spoke specifically to the people of the tribe of Benjamin. Then he went to Hebron to tell David that all Israel and the tribe of Benjamin were ready to follow him.

20So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

20When Abner arrived in Hebron with twenty men, David held a great feast for them.

21And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thy soul desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

21Abner said to David, 'Let me go now and gather all Israel to my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you, and you will rule over everything you desire.' David sent Abner away, and he left in peace.

22And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, 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.

22Just then, David’s troops and Joab returned from a raid with a lot of captured goods. Abner was no longer with David in Hebron because David had sent him away in peace.

23When 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.

23When Joab and his army arrived, he was told, 'Abner son of Ner came to the king, and the king let him go away in peace.'

24Then 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?

24Joab went to the king and said, 'What have you done? Abner came to see you! Why did you let him go? Now he’s gone!

25Thou 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.

25You know Abner son of Ner. He only came to trick you, to spy on your movements, and to find out everything you are doing.'

26And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

26After Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner. They caught up to him at the well of Sirah and brought him back, but David didn't know anything about it.

27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway as if to speak with him privately. There, Joab stabbed him in the stomach and killed him, getting revenge for the blood of his brother Asahel.

28And afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Jehovah for ever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

28Later, when David heard the news, he said, 'I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD of the murder of Abner son of Ner.

29let it fall upon the head of Joab, and upon 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 by the sword, or that lacketh bread.

29May the guilt fall on the head of Joab and his whole family! May his descendants always suffer from sores or leprosy, or be forced to walk with a crutch, or die in battle, or go hungry.'

30So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

30So Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.碎

31And 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 followed the bier.

31David said to Joab and all the people with him, 'Tear your clothes, put on burlap, and mourn for Abner.' King David himself walked behind the stretcher carrying the body.

32And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

32They buried Abner in Hebron. The king cried out loudly at Abner’s grave, and all the people wept too.

33And the king lamented for Abner, and said, Should Abner die as a fool dieth?

33The king sang this funeral song for Abner: 'Should Abner have died like a common criminal?

34Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: As a man falleth before the children of iniquity, so didst thou fall. And all the people wept again over him.

34Your hands were not tied, and your feet were not in chains. You fell as one falls before wicked men.' And all the people wept for him again.

35And all the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David sware, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or aught else, till the sun be down.

35During the day, the people tried to get David to eat something, but he took an oath, saying, 'May God punish me severely if I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down.'

36And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them; as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

36All the people noticed this, and it pleased them. In fact, everything the king did pleased the people.

37So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

37So everyone in the land and all of Israel understood that day that the king was not responsible for the death of Abner son of Ner.碎

38And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

38Then the king said to his officers, 'Don't you realize that a leader and a great man has fallen today in Israel?

39And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me: Jehovah reward the evil-doer according to his wickedness.

39Even though I am the anointed king, today I feel weak. These sons of Zeruiah are too violent for me. May the LORD pay back the person who did this evil according to the evil he has done.'