⁴ Then the officials^(A) said to the king, “This man should be put to death.^(B) He is discouraging^(C) the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin.”

⁷ And when they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?^(A)’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt with fear^(B) and every hand go limp;^(C) every spirit will become faint^(D) and every leg will be wet with urine.’^(E) It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Ish-Bosheth Murdered

4 When Ish-Bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner^(A) had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed.