Then Abnerwas veryangryoverthe wordsof Ish-boshethand said,"Am I a dog'sheadthat belongs to Judah?TodayI showkindnessto the houseof Saulyour father,to his brothersand to his friends,and have not deliveredyou into the handsof David;and yet todayyou chargeme with a guiltconcerning the woman.
Then Abishaithe sonof Zeruiahsaidto the king,"Whyshould thisdeaddogcursemy lordthe king?Let me goovernowand cutoffhis head."
But Abnerthe sonof Ner,commanderof Saul'sarmy,had takenIsh-bosheththe sonof Sauland broughthim overto Mahanaim.
"Nowthen, do[it]! For the LORDhas spokenof David,saying,By the handof My servantDavidI will saveMy peopleIsraelfrom the handof the Philistinesand from the handof alltheir enemies.'"
"May Goddosoto Abner,and morealso,ifas the LORDhas swornto David,I do not accomplishthisfor him,
"Previously,when Saulwas kingoverus, you were the one who ledIsraelout and in. And the LORDsaidto you, 'You will shepherdMy peopleIsrael,and you will be a ruleroverIsrael.'"
Again he prostratedhimself and said,"Whatis your servant,that you should regarda deaddoglikeme?"
Then Hazaelsaid,"But whatis your servant,[who is but] a dog,that he should dothisgreatthing?"And Elishaanswered,"The LORDhas shownme that you will be kingoverAram."
For the wrathof manshall praiseYou; With a remnantof wrathYou will girdYourself.
"Whomhave you reproachedand blasphemed?And againstwhomhave you raised[your] voiceAnd haughtilyliftedup your eyes?Againstthe HolyOneof Israel!
"You shall not bringthe hireof a harlotor the wagesof a doginto the houseof the LORDyour Godfor anyvotiveoffering,for bothof these are an abominationto the LORDyour God.
So Samuelsaidto him, "The LORDhas tornthe kingdomof Israelfrom you todayand has givenit to your neighbor,who is betterthanyou.
The Philistinesaidto David,"Am I a dog,that you cometo me with sticks?"And the PhilistinecursedDavidby his gods.
