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2 Samuel 3:6

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 3:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul.
2 Samuel 3:6 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David`s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul.
7Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and [Ish-bosheth] said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father`s concubine?
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;
← 2 Samuel 3:52 Samuel 3:7 →
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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 it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, etc.] As long as that continued, as it did until the following quarrel happened between Ishbosheth and Abner: that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul; or was strongly in the interest of that house, and used his utmost endeavours to support and confirm it.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“ABNER REVOLTS TO DAVID. (Sa2 3:6-12) Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul--In the East, the wives and concubines of a king are the property of his successor to this extent, that for a private person to aspire to marry one of them would be considered a virtual advance of pretensions to the crown (see Kg1 2:17). It is not clear whether the accusation against Abner was well or ill founded. But he resented the charge as an indignity, and, impelled by revenge, determined to transfer all the weight of his influence to the opposite party. He evidently set a full value on his services, and seems to have lorded it over his weak nephew in a haughty, overbearing manner.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Render, “And it came to pass, while the war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted, that Abner assisted the house of Saul.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Strong - He used all his endeavours to support Saul's house: which is mentioned, to shew the reason of his deep resentment of the following aspersion. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Abner: Sa2 2:8, Sa2 2:9; Kg2 10:23; Ch2 25:8; Pro 21:30; Isa 8:9, Isa 8:10; Joe 3:9-13; Mat 12:30 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 3:7”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Decline of the House of Saul. - Sa2 3:6-11. Abner's quarrel with Ishbosheth. - During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner adhered firmly to the house of Saul, but he appropriated one of Saul's concubines to himself. When Ishbosheth charged him with this, he fell into so violent a rage, that he at once announced to Ishbosheth his intention to hand over the kingdom to David. Abner had certainly perceived the utter incapacity of Ishbosheth for a very long time, if not from the very outset, and had probably made him king after the death of Saul, merely that he might save himself from the necessity of submitting to David, and might be able to rule in Ishbosheth's name,…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification