2 Samuel 3:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:7-21

Here, I. Abner breaks with Ish-bosheth, and deserts his interest, upon a little provocation which Ish-bosheth unadvisedly gave him. God can serve his own purposes by the sins and follies of men. 1. Ish-bosheth accused Abner of no less a crime than debauching one of his father's concubines, 2 Sam. 3:7. Whether it was so or no does not appear, nor what ground he had for the suspicion: but, however it was, it would have been Ish-bosheth's prudence to be silent, considering how much it was his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:8

Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth ,.... If false he had a good deal of reason for it; and if true, he thought he deserved better at his hands, than to be reproved for and upbraided with what he might think was a very small fault, and might easily be connived at, and especially in one that had been so serviceable to him: and said, am I a dog's head ; such a mean, vile, contemptible person with thee, as if no better than a dog, and as useless and as unserviceable as a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 3:8

Am I a dog ' s head - Dost thou treat a man with indignity who has been the only prop of thy tottering kingdom, and the only person who could make head against the house of David? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:1-11

Rival interests. The facts are: 1. A desultory war is carried on between the house of Saul and the house of David, in which the latter has the advantage. 2 . David has six sons born to him while at Hebron. 3 . A quarrel arises between Abner and Ishbosheth, consequent on an accusation resented by Abner. 4 . Abner charges his master with ingratitude, and threatens to transfer his allegiance to David. 5 . In seeking to give emphasis to his threat, Abner indicates his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:7-11

( MAHANAIM .) The dissensions of the wicked. 1 . The union of wicked men rests only upon regard for their own interests. It is not founded on mutual esteem, and does not constitute true friendship ( 1 Samuel 18:1-4 ). "The friendships of the world are oft Confederacies in vice, or leagues in pleasure." (Addison.) 2. When their interests come into collision, their dissensions begin. And occasions of such collision are sure to arise. "Let us mark the inherent weakness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:8

Then was Abner very wroth. This extreme indignation on Abner's part is not easy to understand; for he could scarcely have expected Ishbosheth to endure quietly what at least was a great insult. But probably the question, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine? does not mean a mild expostulation on the king's part, but the purpose to degrade Abner and strip him of his office. Probably after the defeat by Joab at Gibeon, the army was less satisfied with its leader, and his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 3:8

The words against Judah are very obscure. If the text be correct, the words would seem to be Ish-bosheth’s, who in his anger had charged Abner with being a vile partisan of Judah: Abner retorts, “Am I (as you say) a dog’s head which belongeth to Judah, or on Judah’s side! This day I show you kindness, etc., and this day thou chargest me with a fault, etc.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 3:8

2 Samuel 3:8. Then was Abner very wroth He accounted his merits so great, and was become so haughty, that he thought he might do any thing without reprehension; and said, Am I a dog’s head? So contemptible a person that thou thinkest it a disgrace to thy family for me to have intercourse with thy father’s concubine. Whether Abner was guilty of the crime laid to his charge or not, does not appear; nor what ground Ish-bosheth had for the suspicion. But, however it was, it would have been... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 3:2-39

End of the line of Saul (3:2-4:12)On becoming king of Judah, David followed the pattern of neighbouring kings by taking a number of wives (2-5). (For the more important people of David’s family and relatives see the appendix at the end of the commentary on 2 Samuel.) Meanwhile Abner became so powerful among Ishbosheth’s supporters, that Ishbosheth accused him of trying to gain the throne for himself. (According to an eastern custom, one way a person signified his claim to the throne was by... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 3:8

fault. Hebrew. avon, iniquity. See App-44 . read more

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