1. The struggle between the house of Saul and the house of David endured, but David grew stronger as Saul became weaker.
2. Sons were born to David in Hebron:his firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3. and his second, Kileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal, the Carmelite;and the third, Absalom the son of Maakah the daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur;
4. and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5. and the sixth, Ithream, was born to Eglah, the wife of David.These were born to David in Hebron.
6. While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul.
7. Now 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?”
8. Abner became very angry over the words of Ish-Bosheth. He said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Each day I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends by not allowing you to fall into the hand of David. Yet today you are charging me with guilt concerning this woman.
9. May God do so to Abner, and more also, for as the Lord has sworn to David, this I will do for him,
10. to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”
11. And he could not offer a response to Abner, for fear of him.
12. So Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and my hand will be with you to bring over all of Israel to you.”