And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make your alliance with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring around all Israel to you.
And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
And David said to Abner, Are you not a valiant man? and who is like to you in Israel? why then have you not kept your lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king your lord.