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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.
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Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
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his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;
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the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
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and the sixth, Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.
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Now it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul.
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And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?"
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Then Abner became very angry at the words of Ishbosheth, and said, "Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman?
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May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as the Lord has sworn to him--
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to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba."
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And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
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Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, "Whose is the land?" saying also, "Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you."
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And David said, "Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face."
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So David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines."
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And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish.
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Then her husband went along with her to Bahurim, weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, "Go, return!" And he returned.
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Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, "In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you.