12 Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to hand all Israel over to you.”
13 David replied, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there’s one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal here when you come to see me.”
14 Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal. I was engaged to her for the price of 100 Philistine foreskins.”
15 So Ish-bosheth sent someone to take her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.
16 Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he went back.
17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel: “In the past you wanted David to be king over you.
18 Now take action, because the Lord has spoken concerning David: ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the power of the Philistines and the power of all Israel’s enemies.’ ”