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2 Samuel 3

The war between Saul's house and David's house dragged on. David kept growing stronger, while Saul's house grew weaker and weaker. Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel. His second was Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. The third was Absalom son of Maa

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David's sons; Abner turns

The war between Saul's house and David's house dragged on. David kept growing stronger, while Saul's house grew weaker and weaker. Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel. His second was Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. The third was Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. The fourth was Adonijah son of Haggith, and the fifth was Shephatiah son of Abital. The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was David's wife Eglah. These sons were born to David in Hebron. While the war between Saul's house and David's house continued, Abner made himself increasingly powerful in Saul's house. Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. Ish-Bosheth challenged Abner: Why did you sleep with my father's concubine? Abner was furious at the accusation. He said, What do you take me for, some dog's head from Judah? All this time I've been loyal to your father Saul's house, his family and his friends. I haven't handed you over to David, and now you're accusing me over this woman? May God deal with me ever so severely if I don't now do for David exactly what the Lord swore to him: transfer the kingdom from Saul's house and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba. Ish-Bosheth didn't dare answer him, because he was afraid of Abner. Then Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf: Who does the land belong to? Make an agreement with me, and I'll help bring all Israel over to you. David replied, Good. I'll make an agreement with you, but on one condition: you don't come before me unless you bring Michal, Saul's daughter, with you. David also sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul: Give me back my wife Michal, whom I won with a bride-price of a hundred Philistine foreskins. So Ish-Bosheth had her taken from her husband, Phaltiel son of Laish. Her husband followed behind her, crying all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner told him, Go home. So he turned back. Abner spoke with Israel's elders: For some time now you've wanted David as your king. Now's the time to act, because the Lord said of David, Through my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the Philistines and all their enemies. Abner also spoke with the people of Benjamin. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything Israel and the whole house of Benjamin had agreed to. Abner came to David at Hebron with twenty men, and David put on a feast for Abner and those with him. Abner said to David, Let me go and gather all Israel to my lord the king. They'll make a covenant with you, and you can rule over everything you desire. David sent Abner away in peace.

Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. And sons were born to David in Hebron. And his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelite. And his second Kileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And the third Absalom son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. And the fourth Adonijah son of Haggith. And the fifth Shephatiah son of Abital. And the sixth Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron. And while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. And Saul had a woman, whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner: Why have you gone in to my father's woman? Then Abner was very angry at the words of Ish-Bosheth: Am I a dog's head, that today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his mates, and haven't handed you over into the hand of David — and you charge me today with a fault about this woman? God do that to Abner and more, if I don't do to David the way the Lord has sworn to him — to move the kingdom from the house of Saul and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan right to Beersheba. And he couldn't answer Abner a word again, because he was frightened of him. And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf: Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and look — my hand will be with you, to bring all Israel round to you. And he said: Good, I'll make a covenant with you. But I want one thing of you, that's this: you won't see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face. And David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son: Give me my wife Michal, who I promised for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines. And Ish-Bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel son of Laish. And her husband went with her along weeping behind her right to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him: Go, go back. And he went back. And Abner had a word with the elders of Israel: In time past you looked for David to be king over you. So do it now. Because the Lord has spoken of David: By the hand of my servant David I'll save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines and out of the hand of all who are against them. And Abner spoke in the ears of Benjamin too. And Abner went to speak in the ears of David in Hebron too, everything that seemed good to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin. So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made a feast for Abner and the men with him. And Abner said to David: I'll get up and go and gather all Israel to my lord the king, so they can make a covenant with you and you can rule over everything your heart wants. And David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine? Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul 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? So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba. And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him. And Abner 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 Israel unto thee. 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 Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face. And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned. And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin. So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

1

The war between Saul's house and David's house dragged on. David kept growing stronger, while Saul's house grew weaker and weaker.

Plain English

Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

King James Version, 1611

Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

2

Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel.

Plain English

And sons were born to David in Hebron. And his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelite.

King James Version, 1611

And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

3

His second was Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. The third was Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur.

Plain English

And his second Kileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And the third Absalom son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur.

King James Version, 1611

And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

4

The fourth was Adonijah son of Haggith, and the fifth was Shephatiah son of Abital.

Plain English

And the fourth Adonijah son of Haggith. And the fifth Shephatiah son of Abital.

King James Version, 1611

And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

5

The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was David's wife Eglah. These sons were born to David in Hebron.

Plain English

And the sixth Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

King James Version, 1611

And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

6

While the war between Saul's house and David's house continued, Abner made himself increasingly powerful in Saul's house.

Plain English

And while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.

King James Version, 1611

And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.

7

Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. Ish-Bosheth challenged Abner: Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?

Plain English

And Saul had a woman, whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner: Why have you gone in to my father's woman?

King James Version, 1611

And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?

8

Abner was furious at the accusation. He said, What do you take me for, some dog's head from Judah? All this time I've been loyal to your father Saul's house, his family and his friends. I haven't handed you over to David, and now you're accusing me over this woman?

Plain English

Then Abner was very angry at the words of Ish-Bosheth: Am I a dog's head, that today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and to his mates, and haven't handed you over into the hand of David — and you charge me today with a fault about this woman?

King James Version, 1611

Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul 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?

9

May God deal with me ever so severely if I don't now do for David exactly what the Lord swore to him:

Plain English

God do that to Abner and more, if I don't do to David the way the Lord has sworn to him —

King James Version, 1611

So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

10

transfer the kingdom from Saul's house and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.

Plain English

to move the kingdom from the house of Saul and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan right to Beersheba.

King James Version, 1611

To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

11

Ish-Bosheth didn't dare answer him, because he was afraid of Abner.

Plain English

And he couldn't answer Abner a word again, because he was frightened of him.

King James Version, 1611

And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.

12

Then Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf: Who does the land belong to? Make an agreement with me, and I'll help bring all Israel over to you.

Plain English

And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf: Whose is the land? Make your covenant with me, and look — my hand will be with you, to bring all Israel round to you.

King James Version, 1611

And Abner 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 Israel unto thee.

13

David replied, Good. I'll make an agreement with you, but on one condition: you don't come before me unless you bring Michal, Saul's daughter, with you.

Plain English

And he said: Good, I'll make a covenant with you. But I want one thing of you, that's this: you won't see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.

King James Version, 1611

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 Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

14

David also sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul: Give me back my wife Michal, whom I won with a bride-price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.

Plain English

And David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son: Give me my wife Michal, who I promised for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

King James Version, 1611

And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

15

So Ish-Bosheth had her taken from her husband, Phaltiel son of Laish.

Plain English

And Ish-Bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel son of Laish.

King James Version, 1611

And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.

16

Her husband followed behind her, crying all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner told him, Go home. So he turned back.

Plain English

And her husband went with her along weeping behind her right to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him: Go, go back. And he went back.

King James Version, 1611

And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

17

Abner spoke with Israel's elders: For some time now you've wanted David as your king.

Plain English

And Abner had a word with the elders of Israel: In time past you looked for David to be king over you.

King James Version, 1611

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:

18

Now's the time to act, because the Lord said of David, Through my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the Philistines and all their enemies.

Plain English

So do it now. Because the Lord has spoken of David: By the hand of my servant David I'll save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines and out of the hand of all who are against them.

King James Version, 1611

Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

19

Abner also spoke with the people of Benjamin. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything Israel and the whole house of Benjamin had agreed to.

Plain English

And Abner spoke in the ears of Benjamin too. And Abner went to speak in the ears of David in Hebron too, everything that seemed good to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin.

King James Version, 1611

And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

20

Abner came to David at Hebron with twenty men, and David put on a feast for Abner and those with him.

Plain English

So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made a feast for Abner and the men with him.

King James Version, 1611

So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

21

Abner said to David, Let me go and gather all Israel to my lord the king. They'll make a covenant with you, and you can rule over everything you desire. David sent Abner away in peace.

Plain English

And Abner said to David: I'll get up and go and gather all Israel to my lord the king, so they can make a covenant with you and you can rule over everything your heart wants. And David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

King James Version, 1611

And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

Joab kills Abner

Just then Joab and David's men returned from a raid carrying a large haul of plunder. Abner was no longer with David at Hebron, because David had sent him away in peace. When Joab and the whole force with him arrived, he was told, Abner son of Ner came to the king, and the king sent him away in peace. Joab went straight to the king: What have you done? Abner came here, and you just let him walk away? You know what Abner son of Ner is like. He came to fool you, to find out your movements and learn everything you're doing. Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought him back from the well of Sirah, though David knew nothing about it. When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside inside the gateway as though to speak privately. There Joab stabbed him in the stomach, killing him in revenge for the blood of his brother Asahel. When David heard about it, he said, I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord of the blood of Abner son of Ner. May the guilt fall on Joab and his whole family. May Joab's house never be without someone suffering a discharge or skin disease, someone who needs a walking stick, someone who falls by the sword, or someone without enough to eat. Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon. David told Joab and everyone with him, Tear your clothes, put on coarse mourning cloth and mourn for Abner. King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. They buried Abner at Hebron. The king wept aloud at Abner's grave, and all the people wept with him. The king sang this lament for Abner: Should Abner have died like a fool? Your hands were not bound and your feet were not chained. You fell as a man falls before wicked men. And all the people wept for him again. Later, while it was still daylight, everyone urged David to eat. But David swore, May God deal with me ever so severely if I taste bread or anything else before sunset. The people noticed this and approved. In fact, everything the king did pleased them. So that day all the people and all Israel understood that the king had had no part in killing Abner son of Ner. The king said to his servants, Don't you realise that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel today? And today, though I'm the anointed king, I feel powerless. These sons of Zeruiah are too much for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil.

And there were the servants of David and Joab coming from a raid, and bringing plenty of plunder with them. But Abner wasn't with David in Hebron, because he'd sent him away, and he'd gone in peace. When Joab and all the army with him had come, they told Joab: Abner son of Ner came to the king, and he's sent him away, and he's gone in peace. Then Joab came to the king: What have you done? Look — Abner came to you. Why is it you've sent him away and he's gone right off? You know Abner son of Ner — that he came to take you in and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know everything you do. And when Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David didn't know it. And when Abner had come back to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there under the fifth rib, so he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. And afterwards, when David heard about it, he said: I and my kingdom are guiltless in front of the Lord forever of the blood of Abner son of Ner. Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father's house. And let there never fail from the house of Joab one who has a running sore, or has a skin disease, or leans on a staff, or falls by the sword, or lacks bread. So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he'd killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. And David said to Joab and to all the people with him: Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn in front of Abner. And King David himself followed the bier. And they buried Abner in Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner. And all the people wept. And the king made a lament over Abner: Should Abner die the way a fool dies? Your hands weren't tied and your feet weren't put in chains. The way a man falls in front of wicked men, that's how you fell. And all the people wept over him again. And when all the people came to make David eat food while it was still day, David swore: God do that to me and more, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down. And all the people took notice, and it pleased them. Because everything the king did pleased all the people. Because all the people and all Israel understood that day that it wasn't of the king to kill Abner son of Ner. And the king said to his servants: Don't you know that a leader and a great man has fallen today in Israel? And I'm weak today, though anointed king. And these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too hard for me. The Lord pay back the one who does evil according to his wickedness.

And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab 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. And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab 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. So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 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. And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down. And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

22

Just then Joab and David's men returned from a raid carrying a large haul of plunder. Abner was no longer with David at Hebron, because David had sent him away in peace.

Plain English

And there were the servants of David and Joab coming from a raid, and bringing plenty of plunder with them. But Abner wasn't with David in Hebron, because he'd sent him away, and he'd gone in peace.

King James Version, 1611

And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

23

When Joab and the whole force with him arrived, he was told, Abner son of Ner came to the king, and the king sent him away in peace.

Plain English

When Joab and all the army with him had come, they told Joab: Abner son of Ner came to the king, and he's sent him away, and he's gone in peace.

King James Version, 1611

When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.

24

Joab went straight to the king: What have you done? Abner came here, and you just let him walk away?

Plain English

Then Joab came to the king: What have you done? Look — Abner came to you. Why is it you've sent him away and he's gone right off?

King James Version, 1611

Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?

25

You know what Abner son of Ner is like. He came to fool you, to find out your movements and learn everything you're doing.

Plain English

You know Abner son of Ner — that he came to take you in and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know everything you do.

King James Version, 1611

Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

26

Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought him back from the well of Sirah, though David knew nothing about it.

Plain English

And when Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David didn't know it.

King James Version, 1611

And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

27

When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside inside the gateway as though to speak privately. There Joab stabbed him in the stomach, killing him in revenge for the blood of his brother Asahel.

Plain English

And when Abner had come back to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there under the fifth rib, so he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

King James Version, 1611

And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab 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.

28

When David heard about it, he said, I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord of the blood of Abner son of Ner.

Plain English

And afterwards, when David heard about it, he said: I and my kingdom are guiltless in front of the Lord forever of the blood of Abner son of Ner.

King James Version, 1611

And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

29

May the guilt fall on Joab and his whole family. May Joab's house never be without someone suffering a discharge or skin disease, someone who needs a walking stick, someone who falls by the sword, or someone without enough to eat.

Plain English

Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father's house. And let there never fail from the house of Joab one who has a running sore, or has a skin disease, or leans on a staff, or falls by the sword, or lacks bread.

King James Version, 1611

Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab 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.

30

Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

Plain English

So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he'd killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

King James Version, 1611

So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

31

David told Joab and everyone with him, Tear your clothes, put on coarse mourning cloth and mourn for Abner. King David himself walked behind the funeral bier.

Plain English

And David said to Joab and to all the people with him: Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn in front of Abner. And King David himself followed the bier.

King James Version, 1611

And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.

32

They buried Abner at Hebron. The king wept aloud at Abner's grave, and all the people wept with him.

Plain English

And they buried Abner in Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner. And all the people wept.

King James Version, 1611

And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

33

The king sang this lament for Abner: Should Abner have died like a fool?

Plain English

And the king made a lament over Abner: Should Abner die the way a fool dies?

King James Version, 1611

And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

34

Your hands were not bound and your feet were not chained. You fell as a man falls before wicked men. And all the people wept for him again.

Plain English

Your hands weren't tied and your feet weren't put in chains. The way a man falls in front of wicked men, that's how you fell. And all the people wept over him again.

King James Version, 1611

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.

35

Later, while it was still daylight, everyone urged David to eat. But David swore, May God deal with me ever so severely if I taste bread or anything else before sunset.

Plain English

And when all the people came to make David eat food while it was still day, David swore: God do that to me and more, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down.

King James Version, 1611

And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.

36

The people noticed this and approved. In fact, everything the king did pleased them.

Plain English

And all the people took notice, and it pleased them. Because everything the king did pleased all the people.

King James Version, 1611

And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

37

So that day all the people and all Israel understood that the king had had no part in killing Abner son of Ner.

Plain English

Because all the people and all Israel understood that day that it wasn't of the king to kill Abner son of Ner.

King James Version, 1611

For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

38

The king said to his servants, Don't you realise that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel today?

Plain English

And the king said to his servants: Don't you know that a leader and a great man has fallen today in Israel?

King James Version, 1611

And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

39

And today, though I'm the anointed king, I feel powerless. These sons of Zeruiah are too much for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil.

Plain English

And I'm weak today, though anointed king. And these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too hard for me. The Lord pay back the one who does evil according to his wickedness.

King James Version, 1611

And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.