years and a half.

3:2. And sons were born to David in Hebron: and his firstborn was Ammon
of Achinoam the Jezrahelitess:

3:3. And his second Cheleab of Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel: and
the third Absalom the son of Maacha the daughter of Tholmai king of
Gessur:

3:4. And the fourth Adonias, the son of Haggith: and the fifth Saphathia
the son of Abital:

3:5. And the sixth Jethraam of Egla the wife of David: these were born
to David In Hebron.

3:6. Now while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of
David, Abner the son of Ner ruled the house of Saul.

3:7. And Saul had a concubine named Respha, the daughter of Aia. And
Isboseth said to Abner:

3:8. Why didst thou go in to my father's concubine? And he was
exceedingly angry for the words of Isboseth, and said: Am I a dog's head
against Juda this day, who have shewn mercy to the house of Saul thy
father, and to his brethren and friends, and have not delivered thee
into the hands of David, and hast thou sought this day against me to
charge me with a matter concerning a woman?

3:9. So do God to Abner, and more also, unless as the Lord hath sworn to
David, so I do to him,

3:10. That the kingdom be translated from the house of Saul, and the
throne of David be set up over Israel, and over Juda from Dan to
Bersabee.

3:11. And he could not answer him a word, because he feared him.

3:12. Abner therefore sent messengers to David for himself, saying:
Whose is the land? and that they should say: Make a league with me, and
my hand shall be with thee: and I will bring all Israel to thee.

3:13. And he said: Very well: I will make a league with thee: but one
thing I require of thee, saying: Thou shalt not see my face before thou
bring Michol the daughter of Saul: and so thou shalt come, and see me.

3:14. And David sent messengers to Isboseth the son of Saul, saying:
Restore my wife Michol, whom I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of
the Philistines.

3:15. And Isboseth sent, and took her from her husband Phaltiel, the son
of Lais.

3:16. And her husband followed her, weeping as far as Bahurim: and Abner
said to him: Go and return. And he returned.

3:17. Abner also spoke to the ancients of Israel, saying: Both yesterday
and the day before you sought for David that he might reign over you.

3:18. Now then do it: because the Lord hath spoken to David, saying: By
the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the ha