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!
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 8. Concubine. To marry the king’s widow was deemed an attempt upon the throne. 3 Kennicott. 2:22. Hence Solomon was so displeased at Adonias, verse 24. Some think that Isboseth formed the accusation on mere conjecture; but Abner does not deny the fact. Calmet.—Dog’s head: of no account, like a dead dog; ( Bible.) or no better than a servant, who leads a dog. The Jews considered the dog as one of the vilest of animals. Calmet. 9:8, Job 30:1.—Juda. This word is neglected by the Septuagint Some would substitute Liduth, “to be cast away.” Calmet.—God permits the defenders of a wrong cause to fall out, that the right one may be advanced. Worthington.