Old Testament readings use the Septuagint , the Scripture the apostles quoted. Masoretic numbering shown for reference.Learn why
← Day 136·May 16, 2026

2 Samuel 3:1–4:12

Septuagint (Brenton) compared with World English Bible (Masoretic-derived)

Full reading for Day 136

2 Samuel 3:1–4:12 · Psalm 61 (MT: 62) · Proverbs 16:13–15 · John 4:31–54

Showing 2 Samuel 3:1 through 4:12

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Septuagint (Brenton)

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World English Bible

Masoretic-derived · highlighted where altered

1And there was war for a long time between the house of Saul and the house of David; and the house of David grew continually stronger; but the house of Saulgrew continually weaker .
1Now there was long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker.
2And sons were born to David in Chebron: and his first-born was Amnon the son of Achinoom the Jezraelitess.
2Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3And his second son [was] Daluia, the son of Abigaia the Carmelitess; and the third, Abessalom the son of Maacha the daughter of Tholmi the king of Gessir.
3and 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;
4And the fourth [was] Ornia, the son of Aggith, and the fifth [was] Saphatia, the son of Abital.
4and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5And the sixth [was] Jetheraam, the son of Ægal the wife of David. These were born to David in Chebron.
5and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6And it came to pass while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abenner was governing the house of Saul.
6While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house.
7And Saul had a concubine, Respha, the daughter of Jol; and Jebosthe the son of Saul said to Abenner, Why hast thou gone in to my father's concubine?
7Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my fathers concubine?
8And Abenner was very angry with Jebosthe for this saying; and Abenner said to him, Am I a dog's head ? I have this day wrought kindness with the house of Saul thy father , and with his brethren and friends, and have not gone over to the house of David, and dost thou this day seek a charge against me concerning injury to a woman?
8Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, Am I a dogs head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to your father Saul’s house, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman!
9God do thus and more also to Abenner, ifas the Lord swore to David, so do I not to him this day;
9God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Yahweh has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him:
10to take away the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to raise up the throne of Davidover Israel and over Juda from Dan to Bersabee.
10to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s house, and to set up David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.
11And Jebosthe could not any longer answer Abenner a word, because he feared him.
11He could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him.
12And Abenner sent messengers to David to Thælam where he was, immediately, saying, Make thy covenant with me, and, behold, my hand [is] with thee to bring back to thee all the house of Israel .
12Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and saying, Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand will be with you to bring all Israel around to you.
13And David said, With a good will I will make with thee a covenant: only I demand one condition of thee, saying, Thou shalt not see my face, unless thou bring Melchol the daughter of Saul, when thou comest to see my face.
13David said, “Good. I will make a treaty with you, but one thing I require of you. That is, you will not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.
14And David sent messengers to Jebosthe the son of Saul, saying, Restore me my wife Melchol, whom I took for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
14David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15And Jebosthe sent, and took her from her husband, [even] from Phaltiel the son of Selle.
15Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish.
16And her husband went with herweeping behind her as far as Barakim. And Abenner said to him, Go, return; and he returned.
16Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, Go! Return!” and he returned.
17And Abenner spoke to the elders of Israel, saying, In former days ye sought David to reign over you;
17Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, In times past, you sought for David to be king over you.
18and now perform [it]: for the Lord has spoken concerning David, saying, By the hand of my servant DavidI will save Israel out of the hand of all their enemies.
18Now then do it! For Yahweh has 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.’”
19And Abenner spoke in the ears of Benjamin: and Abenner went to speak in the ears of David at Chebron, all that seemed good in the eyes of Israel and in the eyes of the house of Benjamin.
19Abner also spoke 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 to the whole house of Benjamin.
20And Abenner came to David to Chebron, and with him twenty men: and David made for Abenner and his men with him a banquet of wine.
20So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast.
21And Abenner said to David, I will arise now, and go, and gather to my lord the king all Israel; and I will make with him a covenant , and thou shalt reign over all whom thy soul desires. And David sent away Abenner, and he departed in peace.
21Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires. David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
22And, behold, the servants of Davidand Joab arrived from their expedition, and they brought much spoil with them: and Abenner was not with David in Chebron, because he had sent him away, and he had departed in peace.
22Behold, David’s servants and Joab came from a raid and brought in a great plunder with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
23And Joab and all his army came, and it was reported to Joab, saying, Abenner the son of Ner is come to David, and David has let him go, and he has departed in peace.
23When Joab and all the army who was with him had come, they told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.
24And Joab went in to the king, and said, What [is] this [that] thou hast done? behold, Abenner came to thee; and why hast thou let him go, and he has departed in peace?
24Then Joab came to the king and said, What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, and he is already gone?
25Knowest thou not the mischief of Abenner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all things that thou doest?
25You know Abner the son of Ner. He came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do.”
26And Joab returned from David, and sent messengers to Abenner after [him]; and they bring him back from the well of Seïram: but David knew [it] not.
26When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David didn’t know it.
27And he brought back Abenner to Chebron, and Joab caused him to turn aside from the gate to speak to him , laying wait for him: and he smote him there in the loins, and he died for the blood of Asael the brother of Joab.
27When Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28And David heard [of it] afterwards, and said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord even for ever of the blood of Abenner the son of Ner.
28Afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
29Let it fall upon the head of Joab, and upon all the house of his father; and let there not be wanting of the house of Joab one that has an issue, or a leper, or that leans on a staff, or that falls by the sword, or that wants bread.
29Let it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house. Let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.
30For Joab and Abessa his brother laid wait continually for Abenner, because he slew Asael their brother at Gabaon in the battle.
30So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31And David said to Joab and to all the people with him, Rend your garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and lament before Abenner. And king David followed the bier.
31David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn in front of Abner.” King David followed the bier.
32And they bury Abenner in Chebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at his tomb, and all the people wept for Abenner.
32They buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at Abner’s grave; and all the people wept.
33And the king mourned over Abenner, and said, Shall Abenner die according to the death of Nabal?
33The king lamented for Abner, and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?
34Thy hands were not bound, and thy feet [were] not [put] in fetters: [one] brought [thee] not near as Nabal; thou didst fall before children of iniquity.
34Your hands weren’t bound, and your feet weren’t put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell.” All the people wept again over him.
35And all the people assembled to weep for him. And all the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day: and David swore, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if I eat bread or any thing else before the sun goes down.
35All the people came to urge David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else, until the sun goes down.
36And all the people took notice , and all things that the king did before the people were pleasing in their sight.
36All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased all the people.
37So all the people and all Israel perceived in that day, that it was not of the king to slay Abenner the son of Ner.
37So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner.
38And the king said to his servants, Know ye not that a great prince is this day fallen in Israel?
38The king said to his servants, “Don’t you know that a prince and a great man has fallen today in Israel?
39And that I am this day a [mere] kinsman [of his], and [as it were] a subject; but these menthe sons of Saruia are too hard for me: the Lord reward the evil-doer according to his wickedness.
39I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.
1And Jebosthe the son of Saulheard that Abenner the son of Ner had died in Chebron; and his hands were paralysed, and all the men of Israel grew faint.
1When Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
2And Jebosthe the son of Saulhad two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one [was] Baana, and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Remmon the Berothite of the children of Benjamin; for Beroth was reckoned to the children of Benjamin.
2Saul’s son had two men who were captains of raiding bands. The name of one was Baanah and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin (for Beeroth also is considered a part of Benjamin;
3And the Berothites ran away to Gethaim, and were sojourners there until this day.
3and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have lived as foreigners there until today).
4And JonathanSaul's son [had] a son lame of his feet, five years old, and he was [in the way] when the news of Saul and Jonathan his son came from Jezrael, and his nurse took him up, and fled; and it came to pass as he hasted and retreated, that he fell, and was lamed. And his name [was] Memphibosthe.
4Now Jonathan, Sauls son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news came about Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; and his nurse picked him up and fled. As she hurried to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
5And Rechab and Baana the sons of Remmon the Berothite went, and they came in the heat of the day into the house of Jebosthe; and he was sleeping on a bed at noon.
5The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went out and came at about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth as he took his rest at noon.
6And, behold, the porter of the house winnowed wheat, and he slumbered and slept: and the brothers Rechab and Baana went privily into the house:
6They came there into the middle of the house as though they would have fetched wheat, and they struck him in the body; and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
7and Jebosthe was sleeping on his bed in his chamber: and they smite him, and slay him, and take off his head: and they took his head, and went all the night by the western road.
7Now when they came into the house as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him, killed him, beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night.
8And they brought the head of Jebosthe to David to Chebron, and they said to the king, Beholdthe head of Jebosthe the son of Saul thy enemy, who sought thy life; and the Lord has executed for my lord the king vengeance on his enemies, as [it is] this day: even on Saul thy enemy, and on his seed.
8They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life! Yahweh has avenged my lord the king today of Saul and of his offspring.
9And David answered Rechab and Baana his brother, the sons of Remmon the Berothite, and said to them, [As] the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all affliction;
9David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
10he that reported to me that Saul was dead, even he was as one bringing glad tidings before me: but I seized him and slew him in Sekelac, to whom I ought, [as he thought], to have given a reward for his tidings.
10when someone told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking that he brought good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.
11And now evil men have slain a righteous man in his house on his bed: now then I will require his blood of your hand, and I will destroy you from off the earth.
11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house on his bed, should I not now require his blood from your hand, and rid the earth of you?”
12And David commanded his young men, and they slay them, and cut off their hands and their feet; and they hung them up at the fountain in Chebron: and they buried the head of Jebosthe in the tomb of Abenner the son of Ner.
12David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in Abner’s grave in Hebron.