Why was Ish-Bosheth angry about whom Abner slept with? 2 Samuel 3:7
Abner Goes Over to David 6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?” 8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, “Am I a dog’s head—on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
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Asked August 04 2022
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Jack Gutknecht
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Jack Gutknecht
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The Bible does not actually say that Ishbosheth was angry. It does say that Abner was angry. Ishbosheth probably was angry which made Abner angry. It was Ishbosheth's accusation of Abner sleeping with the concubine of his father (Ishbosheth's father, Saul) which may or may not have been true. (The Bible does not actually say that Abner had intercourse with Rispah, the concubine). In any case, that would have been a power play for the throne. But Abner feels insulted and maybe embarrassed, and he's got more power than Ishbosheth. Ishbosheth is probably thinking, "You stole my woman, Abner!" He (Ishbosheth) was next in line for the throne but now Abner has made a move, Ishbosheth thinks, of treachury or better, of treason. Ishbosheth thinks he is in the right. Yet "God protects from 'the strife of tongues' (Psalm 31:20). This is where the Psalm connection really shines. In contrast to Abner, David spent years under accusation, betrayal, and plots. But he constantly returned to God's shelter—“You hide them from the plots of men.” Lesson: When you feel surrounded by strife, gossip, or manipulation—God offers a hiding place. Not to make you passive, but to give you clarity and protection while He works on your behalf." -- chatgpt
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