Bible Verses About Abner: Alienation of, from the house of Saul

During the war that was going on between the house of Sha'ul and the house of David, Avner strengthened his position in the house of Sha'ul.

Sha'ul had had a concubine named Ritzpah, the daughter of Ayah; and [Ish-Boshet] challenged Avner: "Why did you go and sleep with my father's concubine?"

These words of Ish-Boshet's enraged Avner. "What am I," he shouted, "[that you treat me with such contempt]? A dog's head in Y'hudah? Till this moment I have shown only kindness to the house of Sha'ul your father, and to his brothers and to his friends; and I haven't handed you over to David. Yet you choose today to pick a fight with me over this woman!

May God bring terrible curses on Avner and worse ones yet if I don't accomplish what ADONAI swore to David-

to transfer the kingdom from the house of Sha'ul and set up the throne of David over Isra'el and Y'hudah, from Dan all the way to Be'er-Sheva!"

Ish-Boshet couldn't answer Avner a word, because he was afraid of him.

Avner immediately sent envoys to David with this message: "Who is going to control the land? If you make yourself my ally, I will use my power to bring all Isra'el over to you."

David sent this reply: "Very well, I will be your ally - on one condition: you will not come into my presence unless at the same time you bring with you Mikhal Sha'ul's daughter."

David sent messengers to say to Ish-Boshet the son of Sha'ul, "Give me back my wife Mikhal. I betrothed her to myself for 100 foreskins of the P'lishtim."

Ish-Boshet sent and took her from her husband Palti'el the son of Layish.

Her husband went with her, crying as he went, and followed her to Bachurim. But when Avner told him, "Go back," he returned.

Then Avner conferred with the leaders of Isra'el. He said, "In the past, you wanted David to be king over you.

So now, do it. For ADONAI has said of David, 'Through my servant David I will rescue my people Isra'el from the power of the P'lishtim and from the power of all their enemies.'"

Avner also spoke with the people of Binyamin. Then Avner went to Hevron and reported to David everything that had been agreed to by Isra'el and the house of Binyamin.

When Avner came to David in Hevron he brought twenty men with him. David held a feast for Avner and his men.

Avner said to David, "I must get up and go to gather all Isra'el to my lord the king, so that they can make a covenant with you. Then you will be able to rule over everything your heart desires." David sent Avner off, giving him safe conduct.