“Hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?”
The full verse · 2 Samuel 3:7 · KJV
And had a , whose was , the of : and Ishbosheth to , Wherefore hast thou gone unto my ?
Asked by
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionIsh-bosheth uses this question to formally accuse Abner of a treasonous act. Taking a king’s concubine was understood as a claim to the throne itself. By framing this as a question rather than a direct charge, Ish-bosheth demands an explanation while asserting his royal authority over his most powerful subject.
The Response
What Scripture recordsAbner responded with fierce anger, declaring he had been loyal to the house of Saul and had not delivered Ish-bosheth into David’s hand, yet now was being accused over a woman (2 Samuel 3:8). He then swore an oath to transfer the kingdom to David, working to bring all Israel to David’s side (2 Samuel 3:9-12).
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyIsh-bosheth’s question exposes the fatal weakness of his reign. He accuses Abner of taking Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, which in royal protocol amounted to a claim on the throne itself. The Hebrew construction emphasizes the personal nature of the offense, literally my father’s concubine. By asking why rather than simply commanding judgment, Ish-bosheth reveals he cannot enforce his will. A strong king would have acted decisively. This question is calculated to shame Abner into submission, but it backfires spectacularly. The theological weight here is profound: kingdoms built on human strength rather than divine calling inevitably collapse from within. Ish-bosheth represents the old order clinging to power while God’s anointed waits for his appointed time.
Weak leaders often lash out at those they secretly fear. Ish-bosheth’s accusation reveals his insecurity more than Abner’s guilt. When you feel powerless in a relationship or role, resist the temptation to manufacture charges that reassert control. Accusations born from fear rather than truth destroy the very loyalty you hope to secure. Instead, build authority through character and service, not suspicion and confrontation. Proverbs 16:32 reminds us that ruling one’s own spirit surpasses capturing a city. If you must address wrongdoing, approach it from a foundation of secure identity in Christ, not anxious grasping at status. Grace and truth together preserve relationships that fear-driven accusations inevitably shatter.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“What hast thou done?”
“Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?”
“Whose is the land?”
“Don’t you realize that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you?”