3:6,7
In Israel Abner had been strengthening his position. Ish-Bosheth was the nominal king, but Abner was the power behind the throne. Ish-Bosheth was a rather weak king, but may have resented the power that Abner had and thought that he really should have more control himself, he was the king after all! So he confronts Abner, accusing him of sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines. The chapter does not explicitly make clear whether this was actually true or not.
3:8-11
Abner reacts very angrily. The term “dog’s head” is found nowhere else in Biblical or Near Eastern literature, but we can safely assume it is a derogatory term, possibly implying he is secretly working for the “enemy”. Abner then says how he has faithfully served the house of Saul, and had not handed the house of Saul over to David. In his fit of pique he declares that he will now work for David’s cause. He was evidently aware of the promises made about David. So he would now work to see the kingdom transferred to David. This reaction of Abner may be one based on pure resentment at the accusation. Alternatively, it may have been a politically inspired move. Abner may have seen the way the war was going, and looked for an opportunity to swap sides.
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