2 Samuel 3:9

9 May God help me if I don't join David! I will make sure that what the Lord promised does happen!

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 Saul once had a slave woman named Rizpah, who was the daughter of Aiah. Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you have sexual relations with my father's slave woman?"

8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said, and he replied, "I have been loyal to Saul and his family and friends! I didn't hand you over to David. I am not a traitor working for Judah! But now you are saying I did something wrong with this woman!

9 May God help me if I don't join David! I will make sure that what the Lord promised does happen!

10 I will take the kingdom from the family of Saul and make David king of Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba!"

11 Ish-Bosheth couldn't say anything to Abner, because he was afraid of him.