8Abner was very angry at Ishbosheth's words, and said, "Am I the head of a dog?" I have shown mercy against Judah this day to the house of Saul thy father, and to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hands of David, but thou hast now exacted sin upon me for the sake of a woman.

9Let God do this and that to Abner, and do more to him. As the Lord swore to David, so will I do to him:

10I will take away the kingdom from the house of Saul and set the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Bathsheba.

11And Ishbosheth could not contradict Abner, for he was afraid of him.

12Then Abner sent messengers from himself to David [in Hebron, where he was], saying, "Whose land is this?" And again, say, Make a covenant with me, and my hand will be with you, to convert all the people of Israel to you.

13And he said, "Very well, I will make a covenant with you, but I ask you one thing, namely, that you will not see my face unless you bring Michal the daughter of Saul with you when you come to see me."

14Then David sent messengers to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, saying, "Give my wife Michal, whom I received for a hundred circumcisions of the Philistines."

15So Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, Pelati the son of Laish.

16Her husband also went with her, and wept as he accompanied her to Bahurim. but Abner said to him, "Go back." And he returned.

17Then Abner turned to the elders of Israel, saying, "Both yesterday and the third day you wanted David to be king over you,

18Now do this, for the Lord said to David, "By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies."

19Abner said the same to the Benjamites. And Abner went up to Hebron to tell David all that Israel and all the house of Benjamin desired.

20Then Abner came to David in Hebron with twenty men, and David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.

21Then Abner said to David, "I will arise and go and gather all the people of Israel to my lord the king, and they will enter into a covenant with you, and you will reign over all as your soul desires." And David sent Abner away, and he departed in peace.