2 Samuel 3:8

6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had continued to strengthen his position in the house of Saul.

7 Meanwhile, Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

Abner 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!

9 May God punish Abner, and ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD has sworn to him:

10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Abner 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!
KJV
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?
WEB
Then 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!
ASV
Then 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.
DARBY
Then 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?
BLB
And Abner became very hot at the words of Ish-bosheth, and he said, “Is [it that] the head of a dog I [am] that [is] unto Judah? This day I am doing kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and I have not delivered you into the hand of David—and you charge me with iniquity concerning the woman today?
ÅB
Abner ble harm over Isbosets ord og sa: Er jeg et hundehode som holder med Juda? Den dag idag gjør jeg vel mot Sauls, din fars hus, mot hans brødre og hans venner; jeg har ikke overgitt deg i Davids hånd, og så går du nå i rette med meg for denne kvinnes skyld!
OTB
Da ble Abner meget sint over Isjbosjets ord og sa, "Er jeg et hundehode som tilhører Juda? I dag viser jeg godhet mot din far Sauls hus, mot hans brødre og mot hans venner, og har ikke overgitt deg til David; likevel anklager du meg i dag for feil med en kvinne?
B1930
Abner blev harm over Isbosets ord og sa: Er jeg et hundehode som holder med Juda? Den dag idag gjør jeg vel mot Sauls, din fars hus, mot hans brødre og hans venner; jeg har ikke overgitt dig i Davids hånd, og så går du nu i rette med mig for denne kvinnes skyld!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 9:8

    Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 16:9

    Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!”

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 15:28

    So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 23:18

    You must not bring the wages of a prostitute, whether female or male, into the house of the LORD your God to fulfill any vow, because both are detestable to the LORD your God.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 5:2

    Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 37:23

    Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 24:14–15

    Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?

    Read in context
  • Mark 6:18–19

    For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”

    Read in context