d was
Absalom, by Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth
he named Adonijah, by his wife Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, by
Abital; the sixth he called Ithream, by Eglah. Now while this intestine
war went on, and the subjects of the two kings came frequently to action
and to fighting, it was Abner, the general of the host of Saul's son,
who, by his prudence, and the great interest he had among the multitude,
made them all continue with Ishbosheth; and indeed it was a considerable
time that they continued of his party; but afterwards Abner was blamed,
and an accusation was laid against him, that he went in unto Saul's
concubine: her name was Rispah, the daughter of Aiah. So when he was
complained of by Ishbosheth, he was very uneasy and angry at it, because
he had not justice done him by Ishbosheth, to whom he had shown the
greatest kindness; whereupon he threatened to transfer the kingdom
to David, and demonstrate that he did not rule over the people beyond
Jordan by his own abilities and wisdom, but by his warlike conduct and
fidelity in leading his army. So he sent ambassadors to Hebron to David,
and desired that he would give him security upon oath that he would
esteem him his companion and his friend, upon condition that he should
persuade the people to leave Saul's son, and choose him king of the
whole country; and when David had made that league with Abner, for he
was pleased with his message to him, he desired that he would give this
as the first mark of performance of the present league, that he might
have his wife Michal restored to him, as her whom he had purchased with
great hazards, and with those six hundred heads of the Philistines which
he had brought to Saul her father. So Abner took Michal from Phaltiel,
who was then her husband, and sent her to David, Ishbosheth himself
affording him his assistance, for David had written to him that of
right he ought to have this his wife restored to him. Abner also called
together the elders of the multitude, the commanders and captains of
thousands, and spake thus to them: That he had formerly dissuaded them
from their own resolution, when they were ready to forsake Ishbosheth,
and to join themselves to David; that, however, he now gave them leave
so to do, if they had a mind to it, for they knew that God had appointed
David to be king of all the Hebrews by Samuel the prophet; and had
foretold that he should punish the Philistines, and overcome th