1There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

2And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

3and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

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

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

6While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.

7Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?"

8Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, "Am I a dog's head of Judah? To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David. And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman.

9God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what the LORD has sworn to him,

10to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba."

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

12And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, "To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you."

13And he said, "Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face."

14Then David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid the bridal price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines."

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

16But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go, return." And he returned.