Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. As time passed, David grew stronger while the house of Saul became weaker.

In Hebron, sons were born to David: Amnon from Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, Chileab of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite, and Absalom, son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. Adonijah was the son of Haggith, Shephatiah the son of Abital, and Ithream, born to David in Hebron through Eglah his wife.

During this time, Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. However, he had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. Ishbosheth confronted him about it: "Why have you gone into my father's concubine?" Abner was furious with Ishbosheth, saying, "Am I a dog's head that shows kindness to Judah today by sparing your father Saul's household, your brothers, and their friends? I could deliver them into David's hand, but instead, I risk being accused of wrongdoing regarding this woman?"

God had sworn to establish the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up David's throne over Israel and Judah. Abner feared him and couldn't answer another word.

Abner sent messengers to David, saying, "Whose is the land?" and also, "Make your league with me; behold, my hand will be with you to bring all Israel to you." David agreed but with one condition: before seeing his face again, Abner must bring him Michal, Saul's daughter.

David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, saying, "Return my wife Michal, whom I took in marriage after paying one hundred foreskins of the Philistines." Ishbosheth sent and took her from Phaltiel son of Laish. Her husband wept behind her as they left Bahurim.

Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, "In times past you sought David to be king over you. The Lord has spoken: By my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines and all their enemies."

Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin, then went to speak in the ears of David in Hebron about what seemed good to Israel and the whole house of Benjamin. Abner came to David with twenty men, and they were hosted a feast.

Abner said to David, "I will gather all Israel to my lord the king." However, Joab and his host returned from pursuing a troop, bringing spoil with them; yet Abner was not with David in Hebron since he had sent him away and departed in peace.

When Joab learned that Abner had come to the king and been sent away, he came to David and asked, "What have you done? Why is it that you sent him away?" David knew about Abner's intentions: to deceive him and learn about his comings and goings. When David sent messengers after Abner, he was brought back from the well of Sirah.

Abner returned to Hebron where Joab took him aside in the gate to speak quietly with him. There, under the fifth rib, Joab struck and killed Abner for the blood of Asahel his brother.

David heard about it and said, "I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner. Let it fall upon Joab and on his father's house." David wanted all his household to suffer poverty, illness, disability, or violent death.

Joab and Abishai had killed Abner because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in battle. David ordered everyone with him to rend their clothes, gird themselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner's body.

They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king lifted up his voice and wept over his grave along with all the people. The king lamented, saying, "Did Abner die like a fool dies?" His hands were not bound nor feet put into fetters; he fell among wicked men as one falls before the wicked.

When all the people urged David to eat while it was still day, he swore that he wouldn't taste bread or anything else until sunset. The people noticed and agreed with the king's decision, just as everything the king did pleased them.

All Israel understood on that day that the king didn't order Abner's death. The king said to his servants, "Don't you know that a prince and great man has fallen today in Israel?" He was weak, though anointed king, and the men of Zeruiah were too hard for him.