2Sam.2.8

In the meantime, Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, had taken Saul's son Ish-Bosheth to Mahanaim

2Sam.2.8

Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.

2Sam.2.8

But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim;

2Sam.2.8

But Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had already gone to Mahanaim with Saul's son Ishbosheth.

2Sam.2.9

and made him king over Gilead, over Asher, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin--king, as it turns out, over all Israel.

2Sam.2.9

He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.

2Sam.2.9

and he made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

2Sam.2.9

There he proclaimed Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites, and all the rest of Israel.

2Sam.2.10

Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he was made king over Israel. He lasted only two years. But the people of Judah stuck with David.

2Sam.2.10

Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.

2Sam.2.10

Ishbosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David.

2Sam.2.10

Ishbosheth was forty years old when he became king, and he ruled from Mahanaim for two years. Meanwhile, the tribe of Judah remained loyal to David.

2Sam.2.11

David ruled the people of Judah from Hebron for seven and a half years.

2Sam.2.11

The length of time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

2Sam.2.11

And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

2Sam.2.11

David made Hebron his capital, and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years.

2Sam.2.12

One day Abner son of Ner set out from Mahanaim with the soldiers of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, headed for Gibeon.

2Sam.2.12

Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon.

2Sam.2.12

Now Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

2Sam.2.12

One day Abner led some of Ishbosheth's troops from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

2Sam.2.13

Joab son of Zeruiah, with David's soldiers, also set out. They met at the Pool of Gibeon, Abner's group on one side, Joab's on the other.

2Sam.2.13

Joab son of Zeruiah and David's men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side.

2Sam.2.13

And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. So they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.

2Sam.2.13

About the same time, Joab son of Zeruiah led David's troops from Hebron, and they met Abner at the pool of Gibeon. The two groups sat down there, facing each other from opposite sides of the pool.

2Sam.2.14

Abner challenged Joab, "Put up your best fighters. Let's see them do their stuff." Joab said, "Good! Let them go at it!"

2Sam.2.14

Then Abner said to Joab, "Let's have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us.All right, let them do it," Joab said.

2Sam.2.14

Then Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men now arise and compete before us." And Joab said, "Let them arise."

2Sam.2.14

Then Abner suggested to Joab, "Let's have a few of our warriors put on an exhibition of hand-to-hand combat.All right," Joab agreed.

2Sam.2.15

So they lined up for the fight, twelve Benjaminites from the side of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve soldiers from David's side.

2Sam.2.15

So they stood up and were counted off-twelve men for Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David.

2Sam.2.15

So they arose and went over by number, twelve from Benjamin, followers of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve from the servants of David.

2Sam.2.15

So twelve men were chosen from each side to fight against each other.

2Sam.2.16

The men from each side grabbed their opponents' heads and stabbed them with their daggers. They all fell dead--the whole bunch together. So, they called the place Slaughter Park. It's right there at Gibeon.

2Sam.2.16

Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.

2Sam.2.16

And each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent's side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Swords, which is in Gibeon.

2Sam.2.16

Each one grabbed his opponent by the hair and thrust his sword into the other's side so that all of them died. The place has been known ever since as the Field of Swords.

2Sam.2.17

The fighting went from bad to worse throughout the day. Abner and the men of Israel were beaten to a pulp by David's men.

2Sam.2.17

The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men.

2Sam.2.17

So there was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

2Sam.2.17

The two armies then began to fight each other, and by the end of the day Abner and the men of Israel had been defeated by the forces of David.

2Sam.2.18

The three sons of Zeruiah were present: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel, as fast as a wild antelope

2Sam.2.18

The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle.

2Sam.2.18

Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle.

2Sam.2.18

Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, the three sons of Zeruiah, were among David's forces that day. Asahel could run like a deer,

2Sam.2.19

on the open plain, chased Abner, staying hard on his heels.

2Sam.2.19

He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him.

2Sam.2.19

So Asahel pursued Abner, and in going he did not turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.

2Sam.2.19

and he began chasing Abner. He was relentless and single-minded in his pursuit.

2Sam.2.20

Abner turned and said, "Is that you, Asahel?It surely is," he said.

2Sam.2.20

Abner looked behind him and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?It is," he answered.

2Sam.2.20

Then Abner looked behind him and said, "Are you Asahel?" He answered, "I am."

2Sam.2.20

When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, "Is that you, Asahel?Yes, it is," he replied.

2Sam.2.21

Abner said, "Let up on me. Pick on someone you have a chance of beating and be content with those spoils!" But Asahel wouldn't let up.

2Sam.2.21

Then Abner said to him, "Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons." But Asahel would not stop chasing him.

2Sam.2.21

And Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men and take his armor for yourself." But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.

2Sam.2.21

"Go fight someone else!" Abner warned. "Take on one of the younger men and strip him of his weapons." But Asahel refused and kept right on chasing Abner.

2Sam.2.22

Abner tried again, "Turn back. Don't force me to kill you. How would I face your brother Joab?"

2Sam.2.22

Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?"

2Sam.2.22

So Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I face your brother Joab?"

2Sam.2.22

Again Abner shouted to him, "Get away from here! I will never be able to face your brother Joab if I have to kill you!"

2Sam.2.23

When he refused to quit, Abner struck him in the belly with the blunt end of his spear so hard that it came out his back. Asahel fell to the ground and died at once. Everyone who arrived at the spot where Asahel fell and died stood and gaped--Asahel dead!

2Sam.2.23

But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.

2Sam.2.23

However, he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the blunt end of the spear, so that the spear came out of his back; and he fell down there and died on the spot. So it was that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.

2Sam.2.23

But Asahel would not give up, so Abner thrust the butt end of his spear through Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He stumbled to the ground and died there. And everyone who came by that spot stopped and stood still when they saw Asahel lying there.

2Sam.2.24

But Joab and Abishai kept up the chase after Abner. As the sun began to set, they came to the hill of Ammah that faced Giah on the road to the backcountry of Gibeon.

2Sam.2.24

But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon.

2Sam.2.24

Joab and Abishai also pursued Abner. And the sun was going down when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is before Giah by the road to the Wilderness of Gibeon.

2Sam.2.24

When Joab and Abishai found out what had happened, they set out after Abner. The sun was just going down as they arrived at the hill of Ammah near Giah, along the road to the wilderness of Gibeon.

2Sam.2.25

The Benjaminites had taken their stand with Abner there, deployed strategically on a hill.

2Sam.2.25

Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill.

2Sam.2.25

Now the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became a unit, and took their stand on top of a hill.

2Sam.2.25

Abner's troops from the tribe of Benjamin regrouped there at the top of the hill to take a stand.

2Sam.2.26

Abner called out to Joab, "Are we going to keep killing each other till doomsday? Don't you know that nothing but bitterness will come from this? How long before you call off your men from chasing their brothers?"

2Sam.2.26

Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword devour forever? Don't you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?"

2Sam.2.26

Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?"

2Sam.2.26

Abner shouted down to Joab, "Must we always solve our differences with swords? Don't you realize the only thing we will gain is bitterness toward each other? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?"

2Sam.2.27

"As God lives," said Joab, "if you hadn't spoken up, we'd have kept up the chase until morning!"

2Sam.2.27

Joab answered, "As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued the pursuit of their brothers until morning. "

2Sam.2.27

And Joab said, "As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren."

2Sam.2.27

Then Joab said, "God only knows what would have happened if you hadn't spoken, for we would have chased you all night if necessary."

2Sam.2.28

Then he blew the ram's horn trumpet and the whole army of Judah stopped in its tracks. They quit chasing Israel and called off the fighting.

2Sam.2.28

So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore.

2Sam.2.28

So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore.

2Sam.2.28

So Joab blew his trumpet, and his men stopped chasing the troops of Israel.

2Sam.2.29

Abner and his soldiers marched all that night up the Arabah Valley. They crossed the Jordan and, after a long morning's march, arrived at Mahanaim.

2Sam.2.29

All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the whole Bithron and came to Mahanaim.

2Sam.2.29

Then Abner and his men went on all that night through the plain, crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron; and they came to Mahanaim.

2Sam.2.29

All that night Abner and his men retreated through the Jordan Valley. They crossed the Jordan River, traveling all through the morning, and they did not stop until they arrived at Mahanaim.

2Sam.2.30

After Joab returned from chasing Abner, he took a head count of the army. Nineteen of David's men (besides Asahel) were missing.

2Sam.2.30

Then Joab returned from pursuing Abner and assembled all his men. Besides Asahel, nineteen of David's men were found missing.

2Sam.2.30

So Joab returned from pursuing Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.

2Sam.2.30

Meanwhile, Joab and his men also returned home. When Joab counted his casualties, he discovered that only nineteen men were missing, in addition to Asahel.

2Sam.2.31

David's men had cut down three hundred and sixty of Abner's men, all Benjaminites--all dead.

2Sam.2.31

But David's men had killed three hundred and sixty Benjamites who were with Abner.

2Sam.2.31

But the servants of David had struck down, of Benjamin and Abner's men, three hundred and sixty men who died.

2Sam.2.31

But three hundred and sixty of Abner's men, all from the tribe of Benjamin, had been killed.

2Sam.2.32

They brought Asahel and buried him in the family tomb in Bethlehem. Joab and his men then marched all night, arriving in Hebron as the dawn broke.

2Sam.2.32

They took Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and arrived at Hebron by daybreak.

2Sam.2.32

Then they took up Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at daybreak.

2Sam.2.32

Joab and his men took Asahel's body to Bethlehem and buried him there beside his father. Then they traveled all night and reached Hebron at daybreak.

2Sam.3.1

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David dragged on and on. The longer it went on the stronger David became, with the house of Saul getting weaker. [JC]

2Sam.3.1

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2Sam.3.1

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.

2Sam.3.1

That was the beginning of a long war between those who had been loyal to Saul and those who were loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul's dynasty became weaker and weaker.

2Sam.3.2

During the Hebron years, sons were born to David: Amnon, born of Ahinoam of Jezreel--the firstborn;

2Sam.3.2

Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

2Sam.3.2

Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

2Sam.3.2

These were the sons who were born to David in Hebron: The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel.

2Sam.3.3

Kileab, born of Abigail of Carmel, Nabal's widow--his second; Absalom, born of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur--the third;

2Sam.3.3

his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

2Sam.3.3

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;

2Sam.3.3

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

2Sam.3.4

Adonijah, born of Haggith--the fourth; Shephatiah, born of Abital--the fifth;

2Sam.3.4

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

2Sam.3.4

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

2Sam.3.4

The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.

2Sam.3.5

Ithream, born of Eglah--the sixth. These six sons of David were born in Hebron. [JC]

2Sam.3.5

and the sixth, Ithream the son of David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.

2Sam.3.5

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

2Sam.3.5

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

2Sam.3.6

Abner took advantage of the continuing war between the house of Saul and the house of David to gain power for himself.

2Sam.3.6

During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul.

2Sam.3.6

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.

2Sam.3.6

As the war went on, Abner became a powerful leader among those who were loyal to Saul's dynasty.

2Sam.3.7

Saul had had a concubine, Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. One day Ish-Bosheth confronted Abner: "What business do you have sleeping with my father's concubine?"

2Sam.3.7

Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?"

2Sam.3.7

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?"

2Sam.3.7

One day Ishbosheth, Saul's son, accused Abner of sleeping with one of his father's concubines, a woman named Rizpah.

2Sam.3.8

Abner lost his temper with Ish-Bosheth, "Treat me like a dog, will you! Is this the thanks I get for sticking by the house of your father, Saul, and all his family and friends? I personally saved you from certain capture by David, and you make an issue out of my going to bed with a woman!

2Sam.3.8

Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said and he answered, "Am I a dog's head-on Judah's side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven't handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman!

2Sam.3.8

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?

2Sam.3.8

Abner became furious. "Am I a Judean dog to be kicked around like this?" he shouted. "After all I have done for you and your father by not betraying you to David, is this my reward--that you find fault with me about this woman?

2Sam.3.9

What GOD promised David, I'll help accomplish--transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and make David ruler over the whole country, both Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba. If not, may God do his worst to me."

2Sam.3.9

May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD promised him on oath

2Sam.3.9

May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as the LORD has sworn to him--

2Sam.3.9

May God deal harshly with me if I don't help David get all that the LORD has promised him!

2Sam.3.10

Ish-Bosheth, cowed by Abner's outburst, couldn't say another word.

2Sam.3.10

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

2Sam.3.10

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."

2Sam.3.10

I should just go ahead and give David the rest of Saul's kingdom. I should set him up as king over Israel as well as Judah, from Dan to Beersheba."

2Sam.3.11

Abner went ahead and sent personal messengers to David: "Make a deal with me and I'll help bring the whole country of Israel over to you."

2Sam.3.11

Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.

2Sam.3.11

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

2Sam.3.11

Ishbosheth didn't dare say another word because he was afraid of what Abner might do.

2Sam.3.12

"Great," said David. "It's a deal. But only on one condition: You're not welcome here unless you bring Michal, Saul's daughter, with you when you come to meet me."

2Sam.3.12

Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, "Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you."

2Sam.3.12

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."

2Sam.3.12

Then Abner sent messengers to David, saying, "Let's make an agreement, and I will help turn the entire nation of Israel over to you."

2Sam.3.13

David then sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul: "Give me back Michal, whom I won as my wife at the cost of a hundred Philistine foreskins."

2Sam.3.13

"Good," said David. "I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me."

2Sam.3.13

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."

2Sam.3.13

"All right," David replied, "but I will not negotiate with you unless you bring back my wife Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come."

2Sam.3.14

Ish-Bosheth ordered that she be taken from her husband Paltiel son of Laish.

2Sam.3.14

Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins."

2Sam.3.14

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."

2Sam.3.14

David then sent this message to Ishbosheth, Saul's son: "Give me back my wife Michal, for I bought her with the lives of one hundred Philistines."

2Sam.3.15

But Paltiel followed her, weeping all the way, to Bahurim. There Abner told him, "Go home." And he went home.

2Sam.3.15

So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish.

2Sam.3.15

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

2Sam.3.15

So Ishbosheth took Michal away from her husband Palti son of Laish.

2Sam.3.16

Abner got the elders of Israel together and said, "Only yesterday, it seems, you were looking for a way to make David your king.

2Sam.3.16

Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he went back.

2Sam.3.16

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

2Sam.3.16

Palti followed along behind her as far as Bahurim, weeping as he went. Then Abner told him, "Go back home!" So Palti returned.

2Sam.3.17

So do it--now! For GOD has given the go-ahead on David: "By my servant David's hand, I'll save my people Israel from the oppression of the Philistines and all their other enemies.'"

2Sam.3.17

Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king.

2Sam.3.17

Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, "In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you.

2Sam.3.17

Meanwhile, Abner had consulted with the leaders of Israel. "For some time now," he told them, "you have wanted to make David your king.

2Sam.3.18

Abner took the Benjaminites aside and spoke to them. Then he went to Hebron for a private talk with David, telling him everything that Israel in general and Benjamin in particular were planning to do.

2Sam.3.18

Now do it! For the LORD promised David, 'By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.'"

2Sam.3.18

Now then, do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, "By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies."'

2Sam.3.18

Now is the time! For the LORD has said, `I have chosen David to save my people from the Philistines and from all their other enemies.'"

2Sam.3.19

When Abner and the twenty men who were with him met with David in Hebron, David laid out a feast for them.

2Sam.3.19

Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin wanted to do.

2Sam.3.19

And Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin. Then Abner also went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and the whole house of Benjamin.

2Sam.3.19

Abner also spoke with the leaders of the tribe of Benjamin. Then he went to Hebron to tell David that all the people of Israel and Benjamin supported him.

2Sam.3.20

Abner then said, "I'm ready. Let me go now to rally everyone in Israel for my master, the king. They'll make a treaty with you, authorizing you to rule them however you see fit." Abner was sent off with David's blessing.

2Sam.3.20

When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men.

2Sam.3.20

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

2Sam.3.20

When Abner came to Hebron with his twenty men, David entertained them with a great feast.

2Sam.3.21

Soon after that, David's men, led by Joab, came back from a field assignment. Abner was no longer in Hebron with David, having just been dismissed with David's blessing.

2Sam.3.21

Then Abner said to David, "Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a compact with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

2Sam.3.21

Then Abner said to David, "I will arise and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

2Sam.3.21

Then Abner said to David, "Let me go and call all the people of Israel to your side. They will make a covenant with you to make you their king. Then you will be able to rule over everything your heart desires." So David sent Abner safely on his way.