¹ The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. ² Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; ³ his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; ⁴ the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; ⁵ and the sixth, Ithream the son of David`s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron. <sup>6</sup> During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. <sup>7</sup> Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father`s concubine?” ⁸ Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, “Am I a dog`s head—on Judah`s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven`t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman!