II Samuel 3:6-11 · Bible study
2 Samuel 3:6-11 Commentary: Abner's Ambition and the Shift of Power
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore how Abner's strengthening himself in Saul's house, his rage at Ish-bosheth, and his pivot to David reveal God's sovereignty over human ambition.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Abner's quarrel with Ishbosheth over Saul's concubine triggers his defection to David, fulfilling God's plan.
- Key words: mitḥazzeq (strengthening himself, Hithpael participle), pilegesh (concubine), ro’sh kelev (dog's head).
- Main debate: Whether Abner's act with Rizpah was a genuine claim to the throne or a false accusation by Ishbosheth.
- Theological theme: God's sovereignty over human ambition; His promises are fulfilled despite human scheming.
- Best use: A case study in leadership, pride, and the collision of human plans with divine purpose.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
6During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had continued to strengthen his position in the house of Saul.
7Meanwhile, Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”
8Abner 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!
9May God punish Abner, and ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD has sworn to him:
10to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”
11And for fear of Abner, Ish-bosheth did not dare to say another word to him.
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
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.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
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.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
6Now while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner the son of Ner ruled the house of Saul.
7And Saul had a concubine named Respha, the daughter of Aia. And Isboseth said to Abner:
8Why didst thou go in to my father's concubine? And he was exceedingly angry for the words of Isboseth, and said: Am I a dog's head against Juda this day, who have shewn mercy to the house of Saul thy father, and to his brethren and friends, and have not delivered thee into the hands of David, and hast thou sought this day against me to charge me with a matter concerning a woman?
9So do God to Abner, and more also, unless as the Lord hath sworn to David, so I do to him,
10That the kingdom be translated from the house of Saul, and the throne of David be set up over Israel, and over Juda from Dan to Bersabee.
11And he could not answer him a word, because he feared him.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Samuel 3:6
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions see this passage as a watershed in the civil war. They point to the Hebrew verb mitḥazzeq (a Hithpael participle meaning “strengthening himself”), Abner was actively consolidating power rather than passively supporting Saul's house. As the Cambridge Bible notes, Ishbosheth was “a mere puppet in the hands of Abner.” The taking of Saul’s concubine Rizpah is widely understood as a claim to the throne (Keil and Delitzsch; Jamieson-Fausset-Brown). When Ishbosheth confronts him, Abner erupts. His self-defense, “Am I a dog’s head?”, is seen as both genuine outrage and manipulative deflection. Clarke argues Abner knew God had given the kingdom to David yet fought against it until it suited him. The entire episode reveals human ambition colliding with divine purpose, and the kingdom’s inevitable transfer to David.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Ambitious opportunist: Abner strengthens himself and takes the concubine, showing he aimed for the throne all along.
- Justified anger: Ish-bosheth's charge was false or trivial; Abner's rage is a response to ingratitude after years of service.
- Divine overlay: Regardless of human motives, the narrative shows God's sovereign plan advancing through flawed people.
What is clear: God's promise to David will not be thwarted by human ambition or weakness.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Abner's motive for taking Rizpah | The act was politically charged, claiming a symbol of royal authority. | Some say it proves Abner aimed for the throne; others see it as a false accusation by Ishbosheth to discredit him. |
| The charge against Abner | Ish-bosheth confronted Abner about sleeping with his father's concubine. | Whether Abner actually committed the act, or Ishbosheth invented the charge to undermine him. |
| Abner's acknowledgment of God's oath | Abner states that God had sworn to David to give him the kingdom. | Whether his sudden piety was genuine or a convenient cover for his anger and ambition. |
| The nature of Abner's 'strengthening' | Abner was the power behind the throne of Ishbosheth. | Whether he was loyally supporting Saul's house or actively building his own influence, possibly with designs on the throne. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The war between Saul’s house and David’s house lasted for years (2 Samuel 2:8-9). Abner, Saul’s cousin and army commander, had made Ishbosheth king over the northern tribes. But Abner was the real power. The phrase “made himself strong” (mitḥazzeq in the Hithpael) suggests he actively, even aggressively, built his own influence within Saul’s family. The BSB captures this: “Abner had continued to strengthen his position.”
In the ancient Near East, taking a deceased king’s concubine was a political act. It signaled that one was claiming the king’s authority (2 Samuel 16:21-22; 1 Kings 2:22). So when Abner “went in to” Rizpah, it looked like a move toward the throne. Ishbosheth’s accusation was not just personal jealousy, it was a recognition of a power grab.
Abner’s explosive response uses a vivid insult: “Am I a dog’s head?” Dogs were scavengers, the lowest of animals. Calling someone a “dog’s head” was to label them contemptible. Abner recasts the charge as ingratitude. He claims loyalty to Saul’s house, but his oath to transfer the kingdom to David suggests that loyalty was always conditional. He knew of God’s promise to David (1 Samuel 15:28; 16:1-13) yet resisted it, until his pride was stung. The narrator lets us see that human scheming cannot stop God’s plan; it only changes the players.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants affecting the meaning. The Hebrew text lacks the subject “Ish-bosheth” in verse 7; the verb “he said” stands without an expressed subject. The Septuagint and Vulgate supply the name, and modern translations uniformly add it. No other variants of interpretive weight are mentioned by the commentaries examined.
Reception History
In the early church, this passage was read as a demonstration of God’s secret providence: even the anger of a military commander serves divine purposes. Medieval moralists used Abner’s fall as a warning against pride and overreaching ambition. Reformation commentators like Luther and Calvin saw in Abner’s defection an example of how God uses selfish and unbelieving people to advance His kingdom. Wesley and Clarke, in the 18th-19th centuries, drew parallels to contemporary kings dominated by their generals, Clarke specifically names Charles I of England and Louis XVI of France. Modern readings emphasize the narrative’s psychological realism: Abner is not a villain or hero but a complex figure whose wounded pride exposes a heart long bent on self-promotion. The passage remains a cautionary tale about leadership, loyalty, and the danger of serving a cause only as long as it serves oneself.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Illusion of Strength: Abner propped up a weak king but was himself a kingmaker. His “strengthening” was actually self-service. Leaders can mistake influence for loyalty.
- The Explosive Confrontation: A legitimate charge about a concubine triggers a disproportionate rage. When our pride is wounded, we often escalate conflicts rather than examine ourselves.
- The God Who Uses Even Ambition: Abner’s defection, though driven by anger and self-interest, accelerates God’s plan for David. God can work through flawed people, but they still answer for their motives.
Five-point outline
- The House Divided: Israel and Judah at war, a picture of division that grieves God.
- The Puppet Master: Abner strengthens his position, not the house he serves. Loyalty becomes a tool for control.
- The Burning Question: “Why did you go in to my father’s concubine?” This question strips away pretense. Abner is confronted with his ambition.
- The Explosion: “Am I a dog’s head?” Pride lashes out. He lists his accomplishments to justify his anger. A classic human response.
- The Oath Reversal: Abner swears to do what God already swore to David. He finally aligns with God’s will, but for the wrong reasons.
Illustration hooks
- A deputy who runs a family business while the nominal boss signs papers, then feels insulted when questioned about a decision.
- A politician who switches parties the moment he loses a primary fight, claiming it’s for the good of the country.
- Employees who do excellent work but respond with rage when their motives are questioned, listing past loyalty as a shield.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Was Abner right to be angry, or was he hiding selfish ambition? Can a bad motive produce a right action?
- Why does God allow people like Abner to be instruments of His plan? How do we reconcile human sin with divine sovereignty?
- How can we tell when we are serving God’s purposes versus feeding our own pride? What does self-examination look like in leadership?
Leading a Discussion
This passage strips away political masks. Abner appears loyal but his anger reveals a heart that served itself first. Ish-bosheth is weak, but his accusation may have been valid. The question for us: when we do good things, what is really driving us?
Discussion questions
- What does the phrase “made himself strong” (v.6) tell you about Abner’s role in Saul’s house? Why does the narrator include this detail?
- Why was taking a king’s concubine such a serious matter? What did it communicate politically?
- Do you think Abner actually slept with Rizpah, or was Ishbosheth making a false charge? What clues in the text support each view?
- Abner’s anger seems out of proportion to the accusation. What might be the real source of his fury?
- Compare Abner’s oath (“as Yahweh has sworn to David”) with his previous loyalty to Saul’s house. What changed? Was it conviction or convenience?
- In what situations have you seen people do something right for the wrong reasons? How does that affect the outcome?
- How does this passage encourage you to trust God’s plan even when the people carrying it out are flawed?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Samuel 2:8 | Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. |
| II Samuel 2:9 | He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel. |
| II Kings 10:23 | Jehu went with Jehonadab the son of Rechab into the house of Baal. Then he said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search, and see that none of the servants of Yahweh are here with you, but only the worshipers of Baal.” |
| II Chronicles 25:8 | But if you will go, take action, and be strong for the battle. God will overthrow you before the enemy; for God has power to help, and to overthrow.” |
| Proverbs 21:30 | There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh. |
| Isaiah 8:9 | Make an uproar, you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Listen, all you from far countries: dress for battle, and be shattered! Dress for battle, and be shattered! |
| Isaiah 8:10 | Take counsel together, and it will be brought to nothing; speak the word, and it will not stand, for God is with us.” |
| Joel 3:9 | Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war! Stir up the mighty men. Let all the warriors draw near. Let them come up. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke reads Abner’s actions as a clear power grab, seeing his alliance with the late king’s concubine as proof he aimed to seize control. He then notes the irony that Abner himself admits God gave the kingdom to David, yet he resisted it until now. Clarke warns that a king ruled by his general is in a miserable position.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes suggests that the phrase "against Judah" records Ish-bosheth's angry accusation that Abner is secretly on Judah's side. Abner then retorts indignantly, denying he is a "dog's head" loyal to Judah, given his recent kindness to the house of Saul.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Abner propped up Saul's failing house not out of loyalty but ambition, hoping to seize power himself. When David's rise became unstoppable, he seized a petty quarrel with Ish-bosheth as his excuse to switch sides. The commentary notes that Abner knew God had sworn the kingdom to David, yet resisted until self-interest forced his hand.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill sees the quarrel not as a simple moral rebuke but as a power struggle. Abner's taking of Saul's concubine was a claim to the throne, and Ishbosheth's accusation exposed his fear of Abner's military strength. Abner's angry response reveals he knew God had sworn the kingdom to David, yet he had fought against it out of ambition.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights that in Eastern custom, taking a king's concubine implied a bid for the throne, making Ishbosheth's accusation against Abner a deep insult. Stung by the indignity, Abner's vengeful pride drives him to defect to David, overvaluing his own importance and lording over his weak nephew.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch reads Abner's taking of Saul's concubine as a clear claim to the throne, following Eastern custom. They argue Abner had long seen Ishbosheth as unfit and kept him king only to rule behind him, possibly aiming for the crown himself. When exposed, Abner switched sides to secure an influential role under David.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes that David inquired of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim with the high priest Abiathar, highlighting
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees the long war between David and Saul's house as a deliberate test from God. Even though David had right and God on his side, the conflict dragged on to try his faith and patience. He draws a direct parallel to the struggle between grace and sin in every believer's heart.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley points out that the man's vigorous efforts to support Saul's dynasty are mentioned precisely to explain why he felt such deep anger at the slur that followed. His previous loyalty made the insult personally cutting.