2 Samuel 3:6-11 Meaning: Abner's Ambition and God's Unseen Plan
6While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house.
7Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”
8Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to your father Saul’s house, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman!
9God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Yahweh has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him:
10to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s house, and to set up David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”
11He could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him.
6And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish–bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?
8Then 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?
9So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
10To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer–sheba.
11And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
6And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul.
7Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-boshethsaid to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?
8Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head that belongeth to Judah? This day do I show kindness unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David; and yet thou chargest me this day with a fault concerning this woman.
9God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Jehovah hath sworn to David, I do not even so to him;
10to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.
11And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
6And it cometh to pass, in the war being between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner hath been strengthening himself in the house of Saul,
7and Saul hath a concubine, and her name is Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and Ish-Bosheth saith unto Abner, `Wherefore hast thou gone in unto the concubine of my father?'
8And it is displeasing to Abner exceedingly, because of the words of Ish-Bosheth, and he saith, `The head of a dog am I--that in reference to Judah to-day I do kindness with the house of Saul thy father, unto his brethren, and unto his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David--that thou chargest against me iniquity concerning the woman to-day?
9thus doth God to Abner, and thus He doth add to him, surely as Jehovah hath sworn to David--surely so I do to him:
10to cause the kingdom to pass over from the house of Saul, and to raise up the throne of David over Israel, and over Judah, from Dan even unto Beer-Sheba.'
11And he is not able any more to turn back Abner a word, because of his fearing him.
6And it came to pass while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7And Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And [Ishbosheth] said to Abner, Why hast thou gone in to my father's concubine?
8Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, I who against Judah do shew kindness this day to 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 reproachest me this day with the fault of this woman?
9So do God to Abner, and more also, if, as Jehovah has sworn to David, I do not so to him;
10to translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba!
11And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
Meaning in one sentence
In this passage, Abner's act of taking Saul's concubine reveals his true ambitions and shifts the balance between Saul's house and David's.
Context
Two kingdoms are locked in a long war. David rules from Hebron, growing stronger. Saul's son Ishbosheth rules from Mahanaim, but the real power belongs to Abner, Saul's cousin and army commander. Abner had made Ishbosheth king after Saul died, but he kept the reins firmly in his own hands. This passage records the moment everything cracked open. Ishbosheth confronts Abner about sleeping with Saul's concubine Rizpah. In ancient Israel, such an act was understood as a claim to the throne. Abner explodes with rage, denies the charge, and announces he will now transfer the entire kingdom to David. He knows God has sworn the throne to David, and he finally decides to act on that knowledge. Ishbosheth, gripped by fear, dares not reply. The shift that follows will reshape the nation.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words open this story like keys to a locked door. The verb behind 'made himself strong' (mitchazzeq, from H2388 chazaq) means to grasp firmly, to take hold and not let go. Abner is not just supporting Saul's house. He is braiding his own grip into every thread of power. The word appears in other places where someone 'strengthens themselves' for a purpose. Abner's purpose, commentators have long noted, looks a lot like setting himself up to rule.
When Abner protests that he has shown 'kindness' (chesed, H2617) to Saul's house, he uses a word loaded with covenant loyalty. Chesed is the same word used for God's faithful love to Israel. Abner wraps himself in that language. It sounds noble, but his actions lean self-serving.
Finally, 'because he feared him' (miyir'ato, H3372 yare') exposes the real power in the room. Ishbosheth is not swayed by argument. He is silenced by terror. The strongman has spoken, and the king knows he cannot fight back.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this scene with sober eyes. Matthew Henry, the Reformed pastor, sees Abner as a man driven by wounded pride who 'turns his coat' the moment his honor is pricked. Adam Clarke, the Methodist commentator, notes that Abner's strength in Saul's house was a sign he wanted the crown for himself, and that Ishbosheth's fear shows 'the miserable lot of a king governed by his general.'
Others point to the irony in Abner's oath. He swears to do what God has already sworn to do, as if God needed Abner's arm. The Cambridge Bible notes that no direct divine oath to David is recorded in Samuel's words, but Abner can read the signs from Samuel's prophecy. The Baptist expositor John Gill sees Abner arrogantly 'taking to himself what belongs to the Lord.'
Both traditions agree on one thing: this quarrel was a hinge point. Human selfishness opened the door for God's plan to move forward. The same God who works through David's faith also works through Abner's anger.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is to see Abner's switch as a noble conversion. People think he finally chose to support God's anointed out of devotion. In fact, the text shows he acted from fury and self-interest. He knew God's will all along, as Adam Clarke points out, but only obeyed it when his pride was wounded. The right thing happened for the wrong reason. God's plan moved forward, but Abner's heart stayed where it was.
Living This Out
This story asks you a question about the last time someone called you out. Did you stop and consider whether they had a point? Or did your temper flare and send you looking for an exit? Abner had real power over Ishbosheth, but he used it to punish, not to listen. This week, if someone confronts you about a wrong choice, try to wait before you react. Let your first response be honest reflection, not a wounded speech. You may find that God is giving you a chance to change course without blowing everything up first.
Main takeaway: God's purposes move forward even through human anger and ambition, not because of them, but in spite of them.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Abner was a strong man who helped King Saul's son. But he got very angry when the king asked him a question. Instead of being sorry, he decided to change sides. God still used Abner, but his anger made a mess.
For ages 9, 12
Abner had been loyal to Saul's family, but he was also building his own power. When Ishbosheth caught him doing something wrong, Abner flew into a rage and switched to David's side. He even said God wanted David to be king. But his real reason was revenge, not faith. God can work even through selfish people, but He wants us to follow Him with honest hearts, not just when we are angry.
Questions People Ask
Why did Ishbosheth accuse Abner of sleeping with Rizpah?
In ancient Israel, taking a king's concubine was seen as a direct claim to the throne. By sleeping with Rizpah, Saul's concubine, Abner was publicly announcing that he intended to take over as king. Ishbosheth was calling him out on a power move, not just a moral failure.
Was Abner actually guilty of sleeping with Rizpah?
The text does not say clearly. Some commentators think Abner was guilty and that Ishbosheth was right to accuse him. Others think the accusation might have been a political attack, and that Abner's rage suggests he was innocent of that charge at least. Either way, his response shows his true ambition.
What does 'dog's head' mean in Abner's speech?
Calling someone a dog's head was a way of saying they were worthless and contemptible. Abner means, 'Do you think I am so low and disloyal that I would betray you?' He is defending his honor by claiming he has been loyal to Saul's house all along.
Why did Abner decide to switch sides after this argument?
Abner was furious that his loyalty was questioned. His pride was wounded, so he announced he would now do what God had already sworn to do: give the kingdom to David. It was a decision driven by anger and revenge, not pure devotion to God's will.
Is Abner a good example or a bad example in this passage?
He is more of a warning than a model. He knew God's plan for David but only acted on it when it suited his own pride. He did the right thing for the wrong reasons. The story reminds us that God can use flawed people, but He wants our hearts to be truly aligned with His.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study