The House of David Strengthened
(1 Chronicles 3:1–9)

1Now the war between the house of Saul (desired) and the house of David (beloved) was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2And sons were born to David (beloved) in Hebron (association):

His firstborn was Amnon (faithful), by Ahinoam (my brother is delight) of Jezreel;

3his second was Chileab [Daluia],a by Abigail (my father is joy) the widow of Nabal (fool) of Carmel;

his third was Absalom (my father is peace), the son of Maacah (oppression) daughter of King Talmai (furrowed) of Geshur (proud beholder);

4his fourth was Adonijah (my lord is YHWH), the son of Haggith (festive);

his fifth was Shephatiah (YHWH has judged), the son of Abital (my father is the dew);

5and his sixth was Ithream (profit of the people), by David’s (beloved) wife Eglah (a heifer).

These sons were born to David in Hebron (association).

Abner Joins David

6During the war between the house of Saul (desired) and the house of David (beloved), Abner (my father is a lamp) had continued to strengthen his position in the house of Saul. 7Now Saul (desired) had a concubine named Rizpah (pavement), the daughter of Aiah (falcon). So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner (my father is a lamp), “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

8Abner (my father is a lamp) was furious over Ish-bosheth’s (man of shame) accusation. “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah (praised)?” he asked. “All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul (desired), to his brothers, and to his friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David (beloved), but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman! 9May God {Elohim} punish Abner (my father is a lamp), and ever so severely, if I do not do for David (beloved) what the LORD {YHWH} has sworn to him: 10to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul (desired) and to establish the throne of David (beloved) over Israel (he wrestles with God) and Judah (praised), from Dan (He has judged) to Beersheba (well of seven).”

11And for fear of Abner, Ish-bosheth did not dare to say another word to him (my father is a lamp).

12Then Abner (my father is a lamp) sent messengers on his behalf to say to David (beloved), “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel (he wrestles with God) over to you.”

13“Good,” replied David, “I will make a covenant with you. But there is one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s (desired) daughter Michal (who is like God) when you come to see me.”

14Then David (beloved) sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth (man of shame) son of Saul (desired), “Give me back my wife, Michal (who is like God), whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine (immigrants) foreskins.”

15So Ish-bosheth (man of shame) sent and took Michal from her husband Paltiel (Palti)b son of Laish (lion). 16Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim (young men's village). Then Abner (my father is a lamp) said to him, “Go back.” So he returned home.

17Now Abner (my father is a lamp) conferred with the elders of Israel (he wrestles with God) and said, “In the past you⁺ sought David (beloved) as your⁺ king. 18Now take action, because the LORD {YHWH} has said to David (beloved), ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel (he wrestles with God) from the hands of the Philistines (immigrants) and of all their enemies.’”

19Abner (my father is a lamp) also spoke to the Benjamites (son of the right hand). Then he went to Hebron (association) to tell David (beloved) all that seemed good to Israel (he wrestles with God) and to the whole house of Benjamin. 20When Abner (my father is a lamp) and twenty of his men came to David (beloved) at Hebron (association), David held a feast for them.

21Then Abner (my father is a lamp) said to David (beloved), “Let me go at once, and I will gather all Israel (he wrestles with God) to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.”

So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.

Joab Murders Abner

22Just then David’s (beloved) soldiers and Joab (YHWH is father) returned from a raid, bringing with them a great plunder. But Abner was (my father is a lamp) not with David in Hebron (association), because David had sent him on his way in peace. 23When Joab (YHWH is father) and all his troops arrived, he was informed, “Abner (my father is a lamp) son of Ner (lamp) came to see the king, who sent him on his way in peace.”

24So Joab (YHWH is father) went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner (my father is a lamp) came to you. Why did you dismiss him? Now he is getting away! 25Surely you realize that Abner (my father is a lamp) son of Ner (lamp) came to deceive you and to track your movements and all that you are doing.”

26As soon as Joab (YHWH is father) had left David (beloved), he sent messengers after Abner (my father is a lamp), who brought him back from the well of Sirah (the turning). But David was unaware of it.

27When Abner (my father is a lamp) returned to Hebron (association), Joab (YHWH is father) pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel (God-made).

28Afterward, David (beloved) heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD {YHWH} concerning the blood of Abner (my father is a lamp) son of Ner (lamp). 29May it whirl over the head of Joab (YHWH is father) and over the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.”

30(Joab (YHWH is father) and his brother Abishai (my father is a gift) murdered Abner (my father is a lamp) because he had killed their brother Asahel (God-made) in the battle at Gibeon (hill city).)

David Mourns for Abner

31Then David (beloved) ordered Joab (YHWH is father) and all the people with him, “Tear your⁺ clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner (my father is a lamp).” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier.

32When they buried Abner (my father is a lamp) in Hebron (association), the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept. 33And the king sang this lament for Abner (my father is a lamp):

“Should Abner die

the death of a fool?

34Your hands were not bound,

your feet were not fettered.

As a man falls before the wicked,

so also you fell.”

And all the people wept over him even more.

35Then all the people came and urged David (beloved) to eat something while it was still day, but David took an oath, saying, “May God {Elohim} punish me, and ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!”

36All the people took note and were pleased. In fact, everything the king did pleased them. 37So on that day all the troops and all Israel (he wrestles with God) were convinced that the king had no part in the murder of Abner (my father is a lamp) son of Ner (lamp).

38Then the king said to his servants, “Do you⁺ not realize that a great prince has fallen today in Israel (he wrestles with God)? 39And I am weak this day, though anointed as king, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah (balsam), are too fierce for me. May the LORD {YHWH} repay the evildoer according to his evil!”