2 Samuel 3:6-11

2 Samuel 3:6 to 2 Samuel 4:12. Quarrel between Abner and Ishbaal. Treachery of Abner. Death of Abner, and of Ishbaal (J). Cf. p. 286.

2 Samuel 3:6. Abner went in to Rizpah, Saul's concubine; an act of lè se majesté, as the harem of a king was the property of his successor (2 Samuel 12:8; 2 Samuel 16:22). He met Ishbaal's remonstrances with contemptuous and indignant anger. Was he, to whom the house of Saul owed so much, to be treated like a dog, on account of a trifling matter about a woman? He would soon show the nominal king who was master. Ishbaal dared not answer him.

2 Samuel 3:8. a dog's head that belongeth to Judah: the expression dog's head is not found elsewhere. The words that belongeth to Judah should be omitted. Some scribe reading Dog (caleb) took it to mean the tribe, and added an explanatory note on that supposition.