Ish-bosheth was unable to answer Abner with even a single word because he was afraid of him.

You are my brothers – my very own flesh and blood! Why should you delay any further in bringing the king back?’

David defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah when he came to reestablish his authority over the Euphrates River.

But Absalom, whom we anointed as our king, has died in battle. So now why do you hesitate to bring the king back?”

Then King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests saying, “Tell the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you delay any further in bringing the king back to his palace, when everything Israel is saying has come to the king’s attention.

The men of Israel replied to the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and we have a greater claim on David than you do! Why do you want to curse us? Weren’t we the first to suggest bringing back our king?” But the comments of the men of Judah were more severe than those of the men of Israel.