2 Samuel 3:6-8

3:6

Abner <074> [Abner.]

3:7

Rizpah <07532> [Rizpah.]

have sexual relations <0935> [Wherefore.]

This action of Abner's seems a most evident proof that he intended to seize on the government; and it was so understood by Ish-bosheth; see Parallel Texts.

have sexual relations <0935> [gone in.]

3:8

Abner <074> [Abner.]

head .... dog <03611 07218> [Am I a dog's head.]

This was a proverbial expression among the Hebrews to denote whatever was deemed worthless and contemptible. Something similar to this was the answer of the Turkish commander at Beer, on the Euphrates, to a request made to see the castle. "Do they," said he, "take me for a child, or an ass's head, that they would feed me with sweet meats, and dupe me with a bit of cloth? No, they shall not see the castle."

demonstrating <06213> [do shew.]

2 Samuel 3:27

3:27

aside <05186> [took him.]

privately <07987> [quietly. or, peaceably.]

stabbed <05221> [and smote.]

Joab was afraid that Abner, after rendering such essential service to David, would be made the general of the army; and therefore, under pretence of avenging the death of his brother, he treacherously assassinated the unsuspecting and too-confiding Abner: and such was the power of this cool-blooded and nefarious murderer, that the king dared not bring him to justice for his crime. But, while Joab's conduct cannot be too severely reprobated, the justice of God is apparent in Abner's punishment; who, from ambition, had pertinaciously, against his conscience, opposed the declared will of God; and was induced by base resentment to desert Ish-bosheth, and offer his services to David: see ver. 6-10; 4:6.

blood <01818> [for the blood.]