But Abnerthe sonof Ner,commanderof Saul'sarmy,had takenIsh-bosheththe sonof Sauland broughthim overto Mahanaim.
Jacobsaidwhenhe sawthem, "Thisis God'scamp."So he namedthat placeMahanaim.
Then Jacobsentmessengersbeforehim to his brotherEsauin the landof Seir,the countryof Edom.
Then Davidcameto Mahanaim.And Absalomcrossedthe Jordan,he and allthe menof Israelwith him.
Abnerand his menthen wentthrough the Arabahallthat night;so they crossedthe Jordan,walkedallmorning,and cameto Mahanaim.
"Nowtherefore, let your handsbe strongand be valiant;for Saulyour lordis dead,and alsothe houseof Judahhas anointedme kingoverthem."
Then the kingsaidto his servants,"Do you not knowthat a princeand a greatmanhas fallenthisdayin Israel?
It cameabout while there was warbetweenthe houseof Sauland the houseof Davidthat Abnerwas makinghimself strongin the houseof Saul.
Of the sonsof Benjamin,Saul'skinsmen,3,000;for untilnowthe greatestpartof them had kepttheir allegianceto the houseof Saul.
Of the sonsof Ephraim20,800,mightymenof valor,famousmenin their fathers'households.
Nerbecamethe fatherof Kish,and Kishbecamethe fatherof Saul,and Saulbecamethe fatherof Jonathan,Malchi-shua,Abinadaband Eshbaal.
From the tribeof Gad,[they gave] Ramothin Gilead,the cityof refugefor the manslayer,with its pasturelandsand Mahanaimwith its pasturelands,
The nameof Saul'swifewas Ahinoamthe daughterof Ahimaaz.And the nameof the captainof his armywas Abnerthe sonof Ner,Saul'suncle.
Now when SaulsawDavidgoingout againstthe Philistine,he saidto Abnerthe commanderof the army,"Abner,whosesonis thisyoungman?"And Abnersaid,"By your life,O king,I do not know."
Davidcalledto the peopleand to Abnerthe sonof Ner,saying,"Will you not answer,Abner?"Then Abnerreplied,"Whoare you who callsto the king?"
