2nd Shamu'AL (2 Samuel) — 3

Daud’s Sons Born in Habrun 

1 This was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Shaul and those loyal to Daud. As time passed Daud became stronger and stronger, while Shaul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.

2 These are the sons who were born to Daud in Habrun: The oldest was Amnun, whose mother was Ahinuam from Yazraal.

3 The second was Danial, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel.The third was Absalum, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Gashur.

4 The fourth was Aduniyah, whose mother was Haggith.The fifth was Shaphatiah, whose mother was Abital.

5 The sixth was Ithraam, whose mother was Aglah, Daud’s wife.

These sons were all born to Daud in Habrun.

Abnar Joins Forces with Daud

6 As the war between the house of Shaul and the house of Daud went on, Abnar became a powerful leader among those loyal to Shaul. 

7 One day Ishbushath, Shaul’s son, accused Abnar of sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, a woman named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah.

8 Abnar was furious. “Am I a dog in Yahudah to be kicked around like this?” he shouted. “After all I have done for your father, Shaul, and his family and friends by not handing you over to Daud, is this my reward that you find fault with me about this woman? 

9 May 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH strike me and even kill me if I don’t do everything I can to help Daud get what 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has promised him! 

10 I am going to take Shaul’s kingdom and give it to Daud. I will establish the throne of Daud over Yashar'AL as well as Yahudah, all the way from Dan in the north to Baarshaba in the south.” 

11 Ishbushath did not dare say another word because he was afraid of what Abnar might do.

12 Then Abnar sent messengers to Daud, saying, “Doesn’t the entire land belong to you? Make a solemn pact with me, and I will help turn over all of Yashar'AL to you.”

13 “Daud replied, okay “but I will not negotiate with you unless you bring back my wife Michal, Shaul’s daughter, when you come.”

14 Daud then sent this message to Ishbushath, Shaul’s son: “Give me back my wife Michal, for I bought her with the lives of one hundred Philistines.”

15 So Ishbushath took Michal away from her husband, Palti son of Laish. 

16 Palti followed along behind her as far as Bahurim, weeping as he went. Then Abnar told him, “Go back home!” So Palti returned.

17 Meanwhile, Abnar had consulted with the elders of Yashar'AL. “For some time now,” he told them, “you have wanted to make Daud your king. 

18 Now is the time! For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has said, ‘I have chosen Daud to save my people Yashar'AL from the hands of the Philistines and from all their other enemies.’” 

19 Abnar also spoke with the men of Banyamin. Then he went to Habrun to tell Daud that all the people of Yashar'AL and Banyamin had agreed to support him.

20 When Abnar and twenty of his men came to Habrun, Daud entertained them with a great feast. 

21 Then Abnar said to Daud, “Let me go and call an assembly of all Yashar'AL to support my master the king. They will make a covenant with you to make you their king, and you will rule over everything your heart desires.” So Daud sent Abnar safely on his way.

Yuab Murders Abner

22 But just after Daud had sent Abner away in safety, Yuab and some of Daud’s troops returned from a raid, bringing much plunder with them. 

23 When Yuab arrived, he was told that Abnar had just been there visiting the king and had been sent away in safety.

24 Yuab rushed to the king and demanded, “What have you done? What do you mean by letting Abnar get away? 

25 You know perfectly well that he came to spy on you and find out everything you are doing!”

26 Yuab then left Daud and sent messengers to catch up with Abnar, asking him to return. They found him at the well of Sirah and brought him back, though Daud knew nothing about it. 

27 When Abnar arrived back at Habrun, Yuab took him aside at the gateway as if to speak with him privately. But then he stabbed Abnar in the stomach and killed him in revenge for killing his brother Asahal.

28 When Daud heard about it, he declared, “I vow by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH that I and my kingdom are forever innocent of this crime against Abnar son of Nar. 

29 Yuab and his family are the guilty ones. May the family of Yuab be cursed in every generation with a man who has open sores or leprosy or who walks on crutches or dies by the sword or begs for food!”

30 So Yuab and his brother Abishai killed Abnar because Abnar had killed their brother Asahal at the battle of Gibaun.

Daud Mourns Abnar’s Death

31 Then Daud said to Yuab and all those who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on burlap. Mourn for Abnar.” And King Daud himself walked behind the procession to the grave. 

32 They buried Abnar in Hebrun, and the king and all the people wept at his graveside. 

33 Then the king sang this funeral song for Abnar: “Should Abner have died as fools die?

34 Your hands were not bound; your feet were not chained. No, you were murdered the victim of a wicked plot.” All the people wept again for Abnar. 

35 Daud had refused to eat anything on the day of the funeral, and now everyone begged him to eat. But Daud had made a vow, saying, “May 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH strike me and even kill me if I eat anything before sundown.”

36 This pleased the people very much. In fact, everything the king did pleased them! 

37 So everyone in Yahudah and all Yashar'AL understood that Daud was not responsible for Abnar’s murder.

38 Then King Daud said to his officials, “Do you not realize that a great commander has fallen today in Yashar'AL? 

39 And even though I am the anointed king, these two sons of Zaruyahu, Yuab and Abishai are too strong for me to control. So may  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH repay these evil men for their evil deeds.”