II. Samven IIT. 25

throne_of David over Israél and over|B.C. abou
Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.”
11 And he could not answer “Abner a word again, because he feared hint.
12 And Abner sent messengers to David on_his_behalf, saying, “ Whose is the land?” saying also, “« Make thy ce ES iies with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring_about «all Israél unto thee.”
13 And he said, “g Well ; € will_cmake ac league with thee: but one thing = 4require of thee, that_is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring «Michal Saul’s. daughter, when thou comest to see my rface.”
14 And David sent messengers to Ish- bosheth Saul’s son, saying, “-Deliver me my «wife -Michal, which I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins_of the Philistines.”
15 And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the_son_of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her 7 along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, “+Go, -re- turn.” And he returned.
7 And Abner had communication with the_elders_of Israél, saying, “Ye -ssought for “David in times past to be king over you:
18 Now then «do it: for Jthe Lorp| s
shath_spoken of David, saying, ‘ By the_ hand_of My servant David I +will_save My «people Israél out_of the-hand_of the Philistines, and out_of the_hand_of all their enemies.”
19 And Abner also spake in the_ears_ of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the_ears_of David in Hebron rall that seemed good to Israél, and that seemed good to the_whole house_ of Benjamin.
20So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty.emen with him. And Dayid made Abner and the « men that were with him a feast. :
21 And Abner said unto David, “I will_arise and go, and will gather -all Israél unto my -lord the king, that they may_c make a ¢league with thee, and that thou -mayest_reign over all that thine sheart ‘desireth.” And David sent -Abner away; and he went in
peace.
22 And, behold, the_servants_of David and Joab came from pursuing a xtroop, and brought in a great spoil with them : but Abner was not with David in He- bron; for he had_sent_him_away, and he was_gone in peace.
23 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 Then Joab came, to the king, and said, “ What shast_thou_done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why és it that thou -hast_sent_him-away, and he is_ quite gone?
2 Thou knowest “Abner the-son_of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy -going_out-and thy «com- ree and to: know call that thou adoest.” i
1053,