Now when Ish-bosheth, Saul'sson,heardthat Abnerhad diedin Hebron,he lostcourage,and allIsraelwas disturbed.
"I will comeupon him while he is wearyand exhaustedand terrifyhim, so that allthe peoplewhoare with him will flee.Then I will strikedownthe kingalone,
But Abnerthe sonof Ner,commanderof Saul'sarmy,had takenIsh-bosheththe sonof Sauland broughthim overto Mahanaim.
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 peopleof the landdiscouragedthe peopleof Judah,and frightenedthem from building,
For allof them were [trying] to frightenus, thinking,"They will becomediscouragedwith the workand it will not be done."But now,[O God], strengthenmy hands.
Thereforeallhandswill falllimp,And everyman'sheartwill melt.
Encouragethe exhausted,and strengthenthe feeble.
"The kingof Babylonhas heardthe reportabout them, And his handshanglimp;Distresshas grippedhim, Agonylike a woman in childbirth.
We have heardthe reportof it; Our handsare limp.Anguishhas seizedus, Painas of a woman in childbirth.
In that dayit will be saidto Jerusalem:"Do not be afraid,O Zion;Do not let your handsfalllimp.