1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.
11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18 Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30 So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
<html><b>His second [son] was Kilov.</b> [But] in another place1<i class=“footnote”>Divrei Hayomim I, 3,1.</i> [Scriptures] calls him, “and his second [son] was Doniel”.2<i class=“footnote”>i.e., refers to the second son of Dovid not as Kilov but as Doniel, his true name.</i> So why is his called [here] by the name of Kilov? Rebbe Yitzchok said [to answer this question] : Because the generation's cynics were saying that Avigail was pregnant from Novol,3<i class=“footnote”>That Doniel was the son of Novol and not Dovid.</i> [consequently Hashem caused] his facial features to change and resemble his father.4<i class=“footnote”>His resemblance to Dovid earned him the name of <span>כִלְאָב</span> a play on <span>כּוּלוֹ אָב</span>, “completely his father.”</i> And our Rabbis said5<i class=“footnote”>Berochos 4a.</i> that [this name of Kilov was due to the fact that] he embarrassed Mephiboshes through Halacha.6<i class=“footnote”>Doniel’s superior knowledge became evident during the course of his halachic debates with Mipiboshes. According to this Derosho, the letters <span>כל</span> of <span>כִלְאָב</span> stand for <span>מַכְלׅים</span>.</i> “It was on account of the scoffers of the generation, who said, 'Avigayil (Kilav's mom) was pregnant from Naval (her previous husband),' and so [G-d] changed his appearance and he resembled his father (David).” And our Rabbis said, “Because he embarassed Mephiboshet in law study (Berakhot 4a)”</html>
<html><b>By Egloh</b> This refers to Michal7<i class=“footnote”>The daughter of Shaul.</i> who was cherished by him. Similarly it says “If you had not plowed with my calf” (Shoftim 14, 18).8<i class=“footnote”><span>עגלה</span>, “calf” is used in reference to a cherished wife just as a calf is cherished by it’s owner (See Sanhedrin 21a).</i> [But] it is written, “And Michal, the daughter of Shaul had no child until the day of her death” (Below, 6, 23) she didn't have one until the day of her death9<i class=“footnote”>At which time she died in childbirth (ibid).</i>?10<i class=“footnote”>That verse implies that Michal had no children up to the time of her death, but our verse states that Egloh, i.e. Michal gave birth to Yisrom.</i> From that incident11<i class=“footnote”>Dovid rejoiced excessively when the Ark was returned from captivity. Michal rebuked Dovid for what seemed to her to be behavior beneath his dignity. This was not the case and she was punished for the unwarranted shaming of Dovid. (ibid).</i> and on [she had no children], but prior to that incident she did have [children].</html>
<html><b>Was strengthening.</b> With all his might over the house of Shaul, to establish its monarchy.</html>
<html><b>Am I the chief dog [watcher] for [the kingdom of] Yehudah?</b> Am I at least as important as the chief dog watcher for Dovid. However, according to the cantillation which has the accent under [the word] <span>ראׁשׁ</span> and [the word] <span>כֶּלֶב אָנׂכׅי</span> coralled [together],12<i class=“footnote”>Rashi’s first explanation is assumming that the words <span>ראש</span> and <span>כלב</span> are connected. However, the cantillation indicates that they are separate. Instead, the words <span>כלב אנכי</span> belong together. This compels Rashi to offer an alternative explanation.</i> then this is the explanation: The chief? Do I want to be a chief in your house? It is better for me to be a dog and an ordinary person in the house of Dovid. This is also Yonasan's translation. <b>From this day on should I [continue to] be kind.</b> From now on [is it] proper for me to be kind to the house of Shaul and with all those who love him as I have done until now and I have not delivered you into the hand of Dovid?</html>
<html><b>In his behalf saying.</b> From his place to say, We shall keep this [oath] by the One Who made the world. <b>By He Who [posseses] the land.</b> [This is] language [used for] an oath, By He Who [posseses] the land. Another interpretation: “<b>Below him,</b>” [Avner] mentioned his name first in the message letter and afterwords he mentioned Dovid's name and that is why he was punished. [This is what] he wrote: From me, Avner, the general of Yisroel to Dovid, the king of Yisroel, peace salutation. <b>To He who [deserves] the land.</b> To whom the kingdom is proper for him, I am sending to him “saying, Enact a convenant, etc.”</html>
<html><b>You first bring.</b> Before you see my face, bring me Michal.</html>
<html><b>From [her] man.</b> Yonasan translated “from the company of her husband.”</html>
<html><b>Following and crying.</b> Over the good deed [about to be] leaving him because all those years he thrust a sword into the bed [separating] between him and her and he did not stumble [into sinful intimacy] with her.13<i class=“footnote”>Shaul did not consider her married to Dovid because he considered Dovid’s Kiddushin having been done using a loan which is an invalid Kiddushin. However, in fact, Dovid had used regular material wealth as his means for Kiddushin which made Dovid halachically married to Michal. This meant that Paltiel Ben Loyish was living in the same house with another man’s wife. For all those years Paltiel made sure never to touch her and thus was spiritually elevated by subduing his lustful inclination. Now that she was leaving, he was saddenned to no longer have the opportunity for this type of spiritual greatness. (Sanhedrin, ibid).</i></html>
<html><b>And the word of Avner was [sent]</b> Before this [incident with Paltiel]</html>
<html><b>Said about Dovid.</b> About Dovid, and this is not [an instance of the usual] meaning of the word, <span>אל</span>, “to”.</html>
<html><b>From an attack.</b> They sprung, attacking to take spoils from the enemy.</html>
<html><b>From Bor HaSiroh.</b> The name of a place [But] the Rabbis said: A well and a thorn caused Avner to be killed, by not grasping unto the deeds of Dovid, by [ignoring] the jug of water that [Dovid] took from [under] the head of Shaul14<i class=“footnote”>This is reference to Shmuel I, 26,12 where Dovid was being pursued by Shaul and Avner. Dovid found them sleeping and hence vulnerable. Not wanting to harm them but wanting to show Shaul he had been there, Dovid took the spear and the jug of water that was underneath Shaul’s head.</i> and also [by ignoring] the corner of Shaul's garment15<i class=“footnote”>This is a reference to Shmuel I, 24,5 where Shaul, in pursuit of Dovid, stopped temporarily inside the cave where Dovid was hiding with his men. Dovid did not kill him but surreptitiously caught off the corner of Shaul’s garment.</i> [Avner dismissed this and] he said “Perhaps one of the thorns caught upon [the garment] and tore it.</html>
<html><b>Within the gate.</b> [Yoav brought Avner] before a sanhedrin to be judged16<i class=“footnote”>The word <span>שַׁעַר</span> often refers to judges who usually hold court at the gate of the city, cf. Devorim 22,15.</i> for the [spilling of] blood of his brother, Asoel. <b>Deceptively.</b> In a mistake provoking [way] so that Avner would not realize that it is in [Yoav's] heart to kill him. Cut up the verse [to rearrange it's words as follows] “and Yoav steered him deceptively to go within the gate to talk to him.”</html>
<html><b>[The guilt] should fall.</b> The [guilt of the] blood of Avner should rest, should fall. [This verse is] referring back to the preceding verse that stated, I and my kingdom are innocent from [the guilt of] the blood of Avner [The guilt of] his blood should fall on the head of Yoav. The blood [of Avner] that was mentioned in the previous verse. <b>[A lame person] who leans on a cane.</b> Who leans on his cane because of diseased feet.</html>
<html><b>Killed Avner.</b> [As if to say] Avner17<i class=“footnote”>Without the <span>ל</span> because it is the object of the verse’s verb “killed.” Whereas Avner with the prefix <span>ל</span> would usually mean “to Avner.”</i> and similar to it [we find] “Snatch me, be my surety” (Yeshaiya 38, 14), Snatch me18<i class=“footnote”>Not “to me” despite the verse using the word <span>לי</span>.</i> and also similarly (Bamidbar 12,13), “Please heal her” Heal her19<i class=“footnote”>Not “to her” despite the verse using the word <span>לָהּ</span>.</i> and similarly to this (Divrei Hayomin II, 17, 7) “He sent his officers, Ben Chayil, and Ovadiah… to teach in the cities of Yehudah and it's meaning is: He sent his officers, Ben Chayil.20<i class=“footnote”>Not “to his officers, to Ben Chayil” despite the verse using the prefix <span>ל</span>.</i></html>
<html><b>The death of someone wicked.</b> Like the death by sword of a wicked person.</html>
<html><b>Your hands were not bound.</b>21<i class=“footnote”>This word belong with the three hebrew words in the headline, Rashi is filling the word that’s missing from the verse, the verb “were.”</i> How could a mighty soldier such as you fall before treacherous men.</html>
<html><b>To feed.</b> [This is] language [denoting] a meal.</html>
<html><b>I am today weak [as a commoner]</b> And I am, on this day, a commoner and a young king.</html>