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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 them； and bring them under。 Now when the elders and
rulers heard this； and understood that Abner was come over to
those sentiments about the public affairs which they were of
before； they changed their measures； and came in to David。 When
these men had agreed to Abner's proposal； he called together the
tribe of Benjamin； for all of that tribe were the guards of
Ishbosheth's body； and he spake to them to the same purpose。 And
when he saw that they did not in the least oppose what he said；
but resigned themselves up to his opinion； he took about twenty
of his friends and came to David； in order to receive himself
security upon oath from him； for we may justly esteem those
things to be firmer which every one of us do by ourselves； than
those which we do by another。 He also gave him an account of what
he had said to the rulers； and to the whole tribe of Benjamin；
and when David had received him in a courteous manner； and had
treated him with great hospitality for many days； Abner； when he
was dismissed； desired him to bring the multitude with him； that
he might deliver up the government to him； when David himself was
present； and a spectator of what was done。
5。 When David had sent Abner away； Joab； the of his army； came
immediately to Hebron； he had understood that Abner had been with
David； and had parted with him a little before under leagues and
agreements that the government should be delivered up to David；
he feared lest David should place Abner； who had assisted him to
gain the kingdom； in the first rank of dignity； especially since
he was a shrewd man in other respects； in understanding affairs；
and in managing them artfully； as proper seasons should require；
and that he should himself be put lower； and be deprived of the
command of the army； so he took a knavish and a wicked course。 In
the first place； he endeavored to calumniate Abner to the king；
exhorting him to have a care of him； and not to give attention to
what he had engaged to do for him； because all he did tended to
confirm the government to Saul's son； that he came to him
deceitfully and with guile； and was gone away in hopes of gaining
his purpose by this management： but when he could not thus
persuade David； nor saw him at all exasperated； he betook himself
to a project bolder than the former： … he determined to kill
Abner； and in order thereto； he sent some messengers after him；
to whom he gave in charge； that when they should overtake him
they should recall him in David's name； and tell him that he had
somewhat to say to him about his affairs； which he had not
remembered to speak of when he was with him。 Now when Abner heard
what the messengers said； （for they overtook him in a certain
place called Besira； which was distant from Hebron twenty
furlongs；） he suspected none of the mischief which was befalling
him； and came back。 Hereupon Joab met him in the gate； and
received him in the kindest manner； as if he were Abner's most
benevolent acquaintance and friend； for such as undertake the
vilest actions； in order to prevent the suspicion of any private
mischief intended； do frequently make the greatest pretenses to
what really good men sincerely do。 So he took him aside from his
own followers； as if he would speak with him in private； and
brought him into a void place of the gate； having himself nobody
with him but his brother Abishai； then he drew his sword； and
smote him in the groin； upon which Abner died by this treachery
of Joab； which； as he said himself； was in the way of punishment
for his brother Asahel； whom Abner smote and slew as he was
pursuing after him in the battle of Hebron； but as the truth was；
out of his fear of losing his command of the army； and his
dignity with the king； and lest he should be deprived of those
advantages； and Abner should obtain the first rank in David's
court。 By these examples any one may learn how many and how great
instances of wickedness men will venture upon for the sake of
getting money and authority； and that they may not fail of either
of them； for as when they are desirous of obtaining the same；
they acquire them by ten thousand evil practices； so when they
are afraid of losing them； they get them confirmed to them by
practices much worse than the former； as if no other calamity so
terrible could befall them as the failure of acquiring so exalted
an authority； and when they have acquired it； and by long custom
found the sweetness of it； the losing it again： and since this
last would be the heaviest of all afflictions they all of them
contrive and venture upon the most difficult actions； out of the
fear of losing the same。 But let it suffice that I have made
these short reflections upon that subject。
6。 When David heard that Abner was slain； it grieved his soul；
and he called all men to witness； with stretching out his hands
to God； and crying out that he was not a partaker in the murder
of Abner； and that his death was not procured by his command or
approbation。 He also wished the heaviest curses might light upon
him that slew him and upon his whole house； and he devoted those
that had assisted him in this murder