2 Samuel 3:1-16

During the long war between the house of Saul and the house of David,  David was growing stronger  and the house of Saul was becoming weaker. Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon,  by Ahinoam  the Jezreelite; his second was Chileab, by Abigail,  the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third was Absalom,  son of Maacah the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;  the fourth was Adonijah,  son of Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, son of Abital; the sixth was Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.  During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner kept acquiring more power in the house of Saul.  Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah  daughter of Aiah, and Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine? ” Abner was very angry about Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I a dog’s head  , who belongs to Judah? ” he asked. “All this time I’ve been loyal to the family of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends and haven’t betrayed you to David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman! May God punish Abner and do so severely if I don’t do for David what the LORD swore to him: to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah  from Dan to Beer-sheba.” Ish-bosheth did not dare respond to Abner because he was afraid of him. Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to turn all Israel over to you.” David replied, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there’s one thing I require of you: You will not see my face unless you first bring Saul’s daughter Michal  when you come to see me.” Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife Michal. I was engaged to her for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”  So Ish-bosheth sent someone to take her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.  Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he went back.