As the war continued between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was becoming more influential ¹  in the house of Saul.

The Philistines stayed right on the heels of ¹  Saul and his sons. They ²  struck down Saul’s ³  sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua.

From Benjamin, Saul’s tribe, ¹  there were 3,000, most of whom, up to that time, had been loyal to Saul. ² 

Will I deliver them from the power of Sheol? No, I will not! ¹  Will I redeem them from death? No, I will not! O Death, bring on your plagues! ²  O Sheol, bring on your destruction! ³  My eyes will not show any compassion! ⁴ 

When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth by the River ¹  reigned in his place.

When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

When they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof.

So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” Then he offered a burnt offering.

Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back home. ¹ 

Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son ¹  of Abiel.

Saul proceeded to the city ¹  of Amalek, where he set an ambush ²  in the wadi. ³ 

Now David was the youngest. While the three oldest sons followed Saul,

When Saul saw how very successful he was, he was afraid of him.

Saul replied, “May you be blessed by the Lord, for you have had compassion on me.

When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river ¹  succeeded him.

When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Achbor succeeded him.

The descendants of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul,

So Saul and his three sons died; his whole household ¹  died together.

As ¹  a cloud is dispersed and then disappears, ²  so the one who goes down to the grave ³  does not come up again. ⁴ 

If ¹  I hope for the grave to be my home, if I spread out my bed in darkness,