Then Abnersentmessengersto Davidin his place,saying,"Whoseis the land?Makeyour covenantwith me, and behold,my handshall be with you to bringallIsraeloverto you."
Thus he turnedthe heartsof allthe menof Judahas oneman,so that they sent[word] to the king,[saying], "Return,you and allyour servants."
And behold,allthe menof Israelcameto the kingand saidto the king,"Whyhad our brothersthe menof Judahstolenyou away,and broughtthe kingand his householdand allDavid'smenwith him overthe Jordan?"
by lovingthose who hateyou, and by hatingthose who loveyou. For you have showntodaythat princesand servantsare nothingto you; for I knowthis daythat ifAbsalomwere aliveand allof us were deadtoday,thenyou would be pleased.
And he couldnolongeranswerAbnera word,becausehe was afraidof him.
He said,"Good!I will makea covenantwith you, but I demandonethingof you, namely,you shall not seemy faceunlessyou firstbringMichal,Saul'sdaughter,when you cometo seeme."
Abnersaidto David,"Let me ariseand goand gatherallIsraelto my lordthe king,that they may makea covenantwith you, and that you may be kingover allthat your souldesires."So DavidsentAbneraway,and he wentin peace.
So when Abnerreturnedto Hebron,Joabtookhim asideinto the middleof the gateto speakwith him privately,and therehe struckhim in the bellyso that he diedon account of the bloodof Asahelhis brother.
Then the kingsaidto his servants,"Do you not knowthat a princeand a greatmanhas fallenthisdayin Israel?
Menof lowdegreeare onlyvanityand menof rankare a lie;In the balancesthey goup; They are togetherlighter thanbreath.
