Abner, Michal and a Murder in the Gate

"Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?" Abner, furious: "Am I a dog's head…?" He sends to David: "Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee." David: "Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter."

Ish-bosheth takes Michal "from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned."

Abner comes to Hebron, feasts with David, and leaves in peace. Joab returns: "What hast thou done?" He sends after Abner, takes him aside in the gate "to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib… for the blood of Asahel his brother." David: "I and my kingdom are guiltless… Let it rest on the head of Joab." He walks behind the bier and weeps: "Died Abner as a fool dieth?… Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me."

Women and the throne

Taking a king's concubine was a claim to his authority (compare Absalom in 16:21–22 and Adonijah in 1 Kings 2:22). Rizpah is accused and never speaks here; she will act unforgettably in chapter 21. Michal, who loved David, is taken back as a political asset; her feelings are not recorded. Paltiel's tears are.

Blood vengeance

Joab kills Abner as an avenger of blood for Asahel, though Asahel died in battle. Hebron was later a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7); the text does not frame Abner's death as a refuge case. David lacks the power to punish Joab; Solomon will (1 Kings 2:5–6).