1. The battle was prolonged between the house of Saul and the house of David, but David was growing stronger and stronger while the house of Saul was becoming weaker and weaker.
2. And sons were born to David in Hebron; his firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam from Jezreel.
3. His second was Kileab by Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; the third was Absalom the son of Maacah, who was the daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur.
4. The fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah the son of Abital.
5. The sixth was Ithream by Eglah the wife of David. These were born to David in Hebron.
6. As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was continuing, Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul.
7. Saul had had a concubine, and her name was Rizpah the daughter of Aiah. Then Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you have sex with my father’s concubine?”
8. Abner became very angry at the words of Ish-Bosheth, and he said, “Am I the head of a dog which is for Judah today? Do I not continue to show loyal love with the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends? I have not let you fall into the hands of David, yet you have accused me of sin with this woman today.
9. Thus may God punish Abner, if I do not accomplish what Yahweh has sworn to David;
10. specifically, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah from Dan to Beersheba!”
11. And Ish-Bosheth was no longer able to answer Abner because he feared him.