2:1 Afterward David inquired of the Lord, “Should I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” The Lord told him, “Go up.” David asked, “Where should I go?” The Lord replied,
David was told,
2:8 Now Abner son of Ner, the general in command of Saul’s army, had taken Saul’s son Ish-bosheth
2:12 Then Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
2:13 Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David also went out and confronted them at the pool of Gibeon. One group stationed themselves on one side of the pool, and the other group on the other side of the pool.
2:14 Abner said to Joab, “Let the soldiers get up and fight
2:15 So they got up and crossed over by number: twelve belonging to Benjamin and to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve from the servants of David.
2:16 As they grappled with one another, each one stabbed his opponent with his sword and they fell dead together.
2:17 Now the battle was very severe that day; Abner and the men of Israel were overcome by David’s soldiers.
2:20 Then Abner turned and asked, “Is that you, Asahel?” He replied, “Yes it is!”
2:21 Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right or to your left. Capture one of the soldiers
2:24 So Joab and Abishai chased Abner. At sunset they came to the hill of Ammah near Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.
2:25 The Benjaminites formed their ranks
2:26 Then Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will turn bitter in the end? When will you tell the people to turn aside from pursuing their brothers?”
2:27 Joab replied, “As surely as God lives, if you had not said this, it would have been morning before the people would have abandoned pursuit
2:30 Now Joab returned from chasing Abner and assembled all the people. Nineteen of David’s soldiers were missing, in addition to Asahel.
2:31 But David’s soldiers had slaughtered the Benjaminites and Abner’s men – in all, 360 men had died!
2:32 They took Asahel’s body and buried him in his father’s tomb at Bethlehem.
3:2 Now sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, born to Ahinoam the Jezreelite.
3:3 His second son