Theme: To understand the importance of doing Hashem's will
3:1 Now there was long war between the beit Sha'ul and the beit David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the beit Sha'ul waxed weaker and weaker.
3:2 And unto David were banim born in Hevron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Achinoam the Yizre'elit;
3:3 And his second, Kile'av, of Avigal the wife of Nabal the Karmeli; and the third, Avshalom Ben Ma'akhah Bat Talmai melekh Geshur;
3:4 And the fourth, Adoniyahu Ben Chaggit; and the fifth, Shephatyahu Ben Avital;
3:5 And the sixth, Yitre'am, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hevron.
3:6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the beit Sha'ul and the beit David, that Avner made himself strong for the beit Sha'ul.
3:7 And Sha'ul had a concubine, whose name [was] Ritzpah, Bat Ayah: and [Ish-Boshet (אישׁ־בּשׁת)] said to Avner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
3:8 Then was Avner very wroth for the words of Ish-Boshet (אישׁ־בּשׁת), and said, [Am] I a dog's head, which against Yehudah do shew kindness this day unto the beit Sha'ul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
3:9 So do Elohim (אלהים) to Avner, and more also, except, as YHWH (יהוה) hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
3:10 To translate the kingdom from the beit Sha'ul, and to set up the throne of David over Yisra'el and over Yehudah, from Dan even to Beer-Sheva.
3:11 And he could not answer Avner a word again, because he feared him.
3:12 And Avner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose [is] the land? saying [also], Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand [shall be] with thee, to bring about all Yisra'el unto thee.
3:13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Mikhal Bat Sha'ul, when thou comest to see my face.
3:14 And David sent messengers to Ish-Boshet (אישׁ־בּשׁת) Sha'ul's son, saying, Deliver [me] my wife Mikhal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Pelishtim.
3:15 And Ish-Boshet (אישׁ־בּשׁת) sent, and took her from [her] husband, [even] from Phaltiel Ben Layish.
3:16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bachurim. Then said Avner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
3:17 And Avner had communication with the Ziknei Yisra'el, saying, Ye sought for David in times past [to be] king over you:
3:18 Now then do [it]: for YHWH (יהוה) hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my eved David I will save my people Yisra'el out of the hand of the Pelishtim, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
3:19 And Avner also spake in the ears of Benyamin: and Avner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hevron all that seemed good to Yisra'el, and that seemed good to the whole beit Benyamin.
3:20 So Avner came to David to Hevron, and twenty men with him. And David made Avner and the men that [were] with him a feast.
3:21 And Avner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will Gater all Yisra'el unto my adon (אדון) the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Avner away; and he went in peace.
3:22 And, behold, the avadim David and Yo'av came from [pursuing] a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Avner [was] not with David in Hevron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
3:23 When Yo'av and all the host that [was] with him were come, they told Yo'av, saying:
Avner Ben Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
3:24 Then Yo'av came to the king, and said:
What hast thou done? behold, Avner came unto thee; why [is] it [that] thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
3:25 Thou knowest Avner Ben Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
3:26 And when Yo'av was come out from David, he sent messengers after Avner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew [it] not.
3:27 And when Avner was returned to Hevron, Yo'av took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth [rib], that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
3:28 And afterward when David heard [it], he said, I and my kingdom [are] guiltless before YHWH (יהוה) for ever from the blood of Avner Ben Ner:
3:29 Let it rest on the head of Yo'av, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the beit Yo'av one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
3:30 So Yo'av and Avishai his brother slew Avner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Giveon in the battle.
3:31 And David said to Yo'av, and to all the people that [were] with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Avner. And king David [himself] followed the bier.
3:32 And they buried Avner in Hevron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Avner; and all the people wept.
3:33 And the king lamented over Avner, and said, Died Avner as a fool dieth?
3:34 Thy hands [were] not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, [so] fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do Elohim (אלהים) to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
3:36 And all the people took notice [of it], and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
3:37 For all the people and all Yisra'el understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Avner Ben Ner.
3:38 And the king said unto his avadim, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Yisra'el?
3:39 And I [am] this day weak, though anointed king; and these men Benai Tzeruyah [be] too hard for me: YHWH (יהוה) shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.