Keraia
2 Samuel 3

2 Samuel 3:8

Abner Joins David · 2 Samuel 3:6–21
Read 2 Samuel 3

Translations

Modern
Abner was furious over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!
Traditional
Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish–bosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
Literal
And Abner became very hot at the words of Ish-bosheth, and he said, “Is it that the head of a dog I am that is unto Judah? This day I am doing kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and I have not delivered you into the hand of David—and you charge me with iniquity concerning the woman today?
Latin
Quare ingressus es ad concubinam patris mei? Qui iratus nimis propter verba Isboseth, ait: Numquid caput canis ego sum adversum Judam hodie, qui fecerim misericordiam super domum Saul patris tui, et super fratres et proximos ejus, et non tradidi te in manus David, et tu requisisti in me quod argueres pro muliere hodie?

Original

Hebrew
English
Abner was furious over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!

Notes

2 Samuel 3:8

  • a dog that belongs to Judah: See 1 Samuel 17:43.

  • have not delivered you into the hand of David: Abner had control over the life and death of Saul’s son.

2 Samuel 3:1–39

The house of David (David’s family line and those loyal to his rule) grew stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker. A key turning point came when Abner, who held the real political power among Saul’s followers, changed his loyalty to David. When Abner did this, many of his relatives from the northern tribes followed him.

Theme notes and profiles

Abner David

Events

People

Abner: Saul's cousin and commander of his army David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Ish-bosheth: Son of Saul, king over Israel Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Glossary

Abner David Ishbosheth Kindness Rizpah Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Abner: Alienation of, from the House of Saul Conspiracy: Abner, Against Ish-Bosheth Dog: Epithet of Contempt Ish-Bosheth: Deserted by Abner Proverbs: Miscellany of The Dog: Despised by the Jews Treason of Abner Against Ish-Bosheth