BibleWord.ai› Bible› 2 Samuel› Chapter 3› Verse 11

2 Samuel 3:11

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 3:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
2 Samuel 3:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Then 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.
9God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Jehovah hath sworn to David, I do not even so to him;
10to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.
11And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
12And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying [also], Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee; but one thing I require of thee: that is, thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal, Saul`s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
14And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul`s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
← 2 Samuel 3:102 Samuel 3:12 →
← Full Chapter 3 2 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he could not answer Abner a word again, etc.] That is, he would not, he durst not; otherwise, if it was fact he charged him with, he could have insisted on the truth of it, and aggravated the crime and scandal of it; and observed it to him, that the kindness he had shown him was no excuse for it; but such things, though he would, he durst not say: because he feared him; he had the army at his command, and could dethrone him when he pleased; and it has been the fate of greater men than Ishbosheth to be awed by their generals, and even David himself; (see <100339>2 Samuel 3:39).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:11 didn’t dare say another word: Ishbosheth’s silence speaks loudly of his weakness as a ruler. Abner, who had installed him as king (2:8-9), was the real power behind Ishbosheth’s reign.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“because: Sa2 3:39 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:12”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification