A reading from the book of 2 Samuel.

There was a long war between the House of Saul and the House of David, and David grew

stronger and stronger, while the House of Saul became weaker and weaker.

And sons were born to David at Hebron.

His first born was Amnon of the Hinaum of Jesreal, and his second,

Killiab of Abigail, the widow of Nable of Carmel. And the third, Absalom, the son of Meyaka,

the daughter of Talmi, king of Gesher. And the fourth, Adonijah, the son of Haggith,

and the fifth, Sheffataya, the son of Abital. And the sixth, Adonijah, the son of Haggith, and the fifth, Sheffataya, the son of Abital.

And the sixth, Ephraim of Eglah, David's wife.

These were born to David in Hebron.

While there was war between the House of Saul and the House of David,

Abner was making himself strong in the House of Saul.

Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rispa, the daughter of Ayah. And Ishposheth said to Abner, why have you gone into my father's

concubine? Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ishposheth and said,

Am I a dog's head of Judah?

To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul, your father,

to his brothers and to his friends,

and have not given you into the hand of David,

and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman.

God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not

accomplish for David what the Lord has sworn to him, to transfer the kingdom from the house of

Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah from Dan to Beersheba. And

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