3:2 Now sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, born to Ahinoam the Jezreelite. 3:3 His second son 1 was Kileab, born to Abigail the widow 2 of Nabal the Carmelite. His third son was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur. 3:4 His fourth son was Adonijah, the son of Haggith. His fifth son was Shephatiah, the son of Abitail. 3:5 His sixth son was Ithream, born to David’s wife Eglah. These sons 3 were all born to David in Hebron.
3:6 As the war continued between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was becoming more influential 4 in the house of Saul. 3:7 Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth 5 said to Abner, “Why did you have sexual relations with 6 my father’s concubine?” 7
3:8 These words of Ish-bosheth really angered Abner and he said, “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah? This very day I am demonstrating 8 loyalty to the house of Saul your father and to his relatives 9 and his friends! I have not betrayed you into the hand of David. Yet you have accused me of sinning with this woman today! 10 3:9 God will severely judge Abner 11 if I do not do for David exactly what the Lord has promised him, 12 3:10 namely, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah all the way from Dan to Beer Sheba!” 3:11 Ish-bosheth 13 was unable to answer Abner with even a single word because he was afraid of him.
3:12 Then Abner sent messengers 14 to David saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make an agreement 15 with me, and I will do whatever I can 16 to cause all Israel to turn to you.” 3:13 So David said, “Good! I will make an agreement with you. I ask only one thing from you. You will not see my face unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to visit me.” 17
3:14 David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth son of Saul with this demand: 18 “Give me my wife Michal whom I acquired 19 for a hundred Philistine foreskins.” 3:15 So Ish-bosheth took her 20 from her husband Paltiel 21 son of Laish. 3:16 Her husband went along behind her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Finally Abner said to him, “Go back!” 22 So he returned home.
3:17 Abner advised 23 the elders of Israel, “Previously you were wanting David to be your king. 24