3 ¹ There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; and David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

3 ² And sons were born to David at Hebron: his first-born was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 ³ and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 3 ⁴ and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 3 ⁵ and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

3 ⁶ While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul. 3 ⁷ Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?" 3 ⁸ Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ishbosheth, and said, "Am I a dog's head of Judah? This day I keep showing loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman. 3 ⁹ God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what Yahweh has sworn to him, 3 ¹⁰ to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beer-sheba." 3 ¹¹ And Ishbosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

3 ¹² And Abner sent messengers to David at Hebron, saying, "To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you." 3 ¹³ And he said, "Good; I will make a covenant with you; but one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face, unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face." 3 ¹⁴ Then David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed at the price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines." 3 ¹⁵ And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish. 3 ¹⁶ But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go, return"; and he returned.