¹¹ Ishbosheth couldn’t say a single word in reply to Abner because he was afraid of him.

¹² Abner sent messengers to represent him to David and to say, “Who will own the land?^[a] Make a covenant with me, then I’ll help bring all Israel over to your side.”

¹³ “Good!” David replied. “I will make a covenant with you, but on one condition: don’t show yourself in my presence unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me.”