1. Then a long struggle occurred between the house of Saul and the house of David, with David prospering and growing ever stronger, but the house of Saul decreasing daily.
2. And sons were born to David in Hebron. And his firstborn son was Amnon, from Ahinoam the Jezreelite.
3. And after him, there was Chileab, from Abigail, the wife of Nabal of Carmel. Then the third was Absalom, the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur.
4. Then the fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith. And the fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital.
5. Also, the sixth was Ithream, from Eglah, the wife of David. These were born to David at Hebron.
6. Then, while there was a battle between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner, the son of Ner, was reigning over the house of Saul.
7. Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ishbosheth said to Abner,
8. "Why did you enter to the concubine of my father?" But he, being exceedingly angry at the words of Ishbosheth, said: "Am I the head of a dog against Judah this day? I have shown mercy to the house of Saul, your father, and to his brothers and friends. And I have not delivered you into the hands of David. And yet today you have sought me, so that you might rebuke me over a woman?
9. May God do these things to Abner, and may he add these other things, if, in the same way that the Lord swore to David, I do not do so with him:
10. that the kingdom be transferred from the house of Saul, and that the throne of David be elevated over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba."
11. And he was not able to respond anything to him, because he was in fear of him.
12. Therefore, Abner sent messengers to David for himself, saying, "Whose is the land?" and so that they would say, "Make a friendship with me, and my hand will be with you, and I will lead back all of Israel to you."
13. And he said: "It is best. I will make a friendship with you. But one thing I ask of you, saying: You shall not see my face before you bring Michal, the daughter of Saul. And in this way, you shall come, and see me."
14. Then David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, saying, "Restore my wife Michal, whom I espoused to myself for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines."
15. Therefore, Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel, the son of Laish.
16. And her husband was following her, weeping, as far as Bahurim. And Abner said to him, "Go and return." And he returned.
17. Likewise, Abner sent word to the elders of Israel, saying: "As much yesterday as the day before, you were seeking David, so that he might reign over you.