2Sa 3:6-13 | TNotes

3:7 ^a accused Abner of sleeping with one of [Saul’s] concubines: It is unclear whether Abner actually did so. Taking a king’s wife or concubine was often part of a usurper’s attempt to replace the king (see 12:8 ^b; 16:21 ^c; 1 Kgs 2:17-25 ^d).

• Rizpah: See also 2 Sam 21:8-14 ^e.
3:8 ^f some Judean dog: Cp. 1 Sam 17:43 ^g.

• by not handing you over to David: Abner had control over the life and death of Saul’s son.
3:9 ^h help David get what the Lord has promised him! Abner was aware that God had chosen David to be king over all Israel (see also 3:18 ⁱ).
3:10 ^j and give it to David: Cp. 1 Sam 28:17 ^k.

• I will establish the throne of David: Whether an ally or enemy, Abner was a powerful man. Here he speaks like God (see 2 Sam 7:13 ^l).
3:11 ^m 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 ⁿ), was the real power behind Ishbosheth’s reign.
3:12 ^o In the proposed solemn pact (or covenant), Abner recognized that David would be king, while perhaps he hoped to be second-in-command.
3:13 ^p Saul had given his daughter Michal to David as his wife (1 Sam 18:20-27 ^q). However, when Michal saved David’s life from her father (1 Sam 19:11-17 ^r), Saul terminated the marriage and gave Michal to another man, Palti (1 Sam 25:44 ^s). For David to get her back now would further cement his claim to Saul’s kingdom (cp. 1 Kgs 2:13-25 ^t).