King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 3:8 Mean?

2 Samuel 3:8 in the King James Version says “Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, 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?

2 Samuel 3:8 · KJV


Context

6

And 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.

7

And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?

8

Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, 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?

9

So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

10

To 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 Beersheba.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then 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?

This verse contributes to the narrative of Abner Defects and Dies, emphasizing political maneuvering, revenge consequences. This chapter illustrates the complexity of political transition and personal revenge. Abner's defection using covenant language (brit, בְּרִית) contrasts with Joab's treacherous murder, demonstrating how personal vengeance undermines national purposes. The text develops themes of legitimate vs illegitimate authority, the corrupting power of revenge, and maintaining integrity when others act unethically.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 3 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding political maneuvering, revenge consequences provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of political maneuvering, revenge consequences?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וַיִּחַר֩1 of 33

wroth

H2734

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

לְאַבְנֵ֨ר2 of 33

Then was Abner

H74

abner, an israelite

מְאֹ֜ד3 of 33

very

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

עַל4 of 33
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

דִּבְרֵ֣י5 of 33

for the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אִֽישׁ6 of 33
H0
בֹּ֗שֶׁת7 of 33

of Ishbosheth

H378

ish-bosheth, a son of king saul

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙8 of 33

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֲרֹ֨אשׁ9 of 33

head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

כֶּ֥לֶב10 of 33

Am I a dog's

H3611

a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute

אָנֹכִי֮11 of 33
H595

i

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לִֽיהוּדָה֒13 of 33

which against Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הַיּֽוֹם׃14 of 33

me to day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶֽעֱשֶׂה15 of 33

do shew

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חֶ֜סֶד16 of 33

kindness

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

עִם17 of 33
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בֵּ֣ית׀18 of 33

unto the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

שָׁא֣וּל19 of 33

of Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אָבִ֗יךָ20 of 33

thy father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֶל21 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶחָיו֙22 of 33

to his brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְאֶל23 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֵ֣רֵעֵ֔הוּ24 of 33

and to his friends

H4828

a friend

וְלֹ֥א25 of 33
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִמְצִיתִ֖ךָ26 of 33

and have not delivered

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בְּיַד27 of 33

thee into the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

דָּוִ֑ד28 of 33

of David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַתִּפְקֹ֥ד29 of 33

that thou chargest

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

עָלַ֛י30 of 33
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֲוֹ֥ן31 of 33

with a fault

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה32 of 33

concerning this woman

H802

a woman

הַיּֽוֹם׃33 of 33

me to day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 3:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 3:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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