2 Samuel 3:11

11 And Ishbosheth might not answer anything to Abner, for he dreaded Abner (for he feared Abner).

2 Samuel 3:11 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 3:11

And he could not answer Abner a word again
That is, he would not, he durst not; otherwise, if it was fact he charged him with, he could have insisted on the truth of it, and aggravated the crime and scandal of it; and observed it to him, that the kindness he had shown him was no excuse for it; but such things, though he would, he durst not say:

because he feared him;
he had the army at his command, and could dethrone him when he pleased; and it has been the fate of greater men than Ishbosheth to be awed by their generals, and even David himself; see ( 2 Samuel 3:39 ) .

2 Samuel 3:11 In-Context

9 God do these things to Abner, and add these things to him, no but as the Lord swore to David, so I do with him (so I shall do for him),

10 that the realm be translated from the house of Saul (that the kingdom be transferred from the house of Saul), and (that) the throne of David be raised on Israel and on Judah, from Dan till to Beersheba.

11 And Ishbosheth might not answer anything to Abner, for he dreaded Abner (for he feared Abner).

12 Therefore Abner sent messengers to David, and they said for him, Whose is the land? and that the messengers should (also) speak thus, Make thou friendships with me, and mine hand shall be with thee, and I shall bring (over) all Israel to thee.

13 And David said, Best, I shall make friendships with thee; but I ask of thee one thing, and say, Thou shalt not see my face, before that thou bring Michal, the daughter of Saul, and so thou shalt come, and shalt see me. (And David answered, Very well, I shall be friends with thee; but I require one thing from thee, and that is, that thou shalt not see my face, until thou bring Saul's daughter Michal to me; only then shalt thou come, and see me.)