2 Samuel 3:9

9 ¹God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David ²what the LORD has sworn to him,

2 Samuel 3:9 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 3:9

So do God to Abner, and more also
He wishes the worst of evils to himself, such as he cared not to name; but left them to be supposed what he meant as utter ruin and destruction of himself, soul and body:

except as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
meaning if he did not do that David, which God had sworn should be done, namely, what follows, the translation of the kingdom to him; by which it appears that Abner knew of the promise and oath of God respecting this matter; and therefore acted against his conscience, in setting up Ishbosheth on the throne; which he knew would not prosper, and that he was fighting against God; which shows what a hardened wicked creature he was, and how far ambition, and being thought to be of consequence, will carry a man.

2 Samuel 3:9 In-Context

7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?"

8 Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, "Am I a dog's head of Judah? To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David. And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman.

9 God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what the LORD has sworn to him,

10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba."

11 And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

Cross References

• 1. ver. 35; See Ruth 1:17
• 2. 1 Samuel 15:28; 1 Samuel 16:1, 12; 1 Samuel 28:17; 1 Chronicles 12:23