Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, July 29th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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Read the Bible

Christian Standard Bible ®

2 Samuel 3:11

Ish-bosheth did not dare respond to Abner because he was afraid of him.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Abner;   Conspiracy;   Ish-Bosheth;   Treason;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Rizpah;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Abner;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ishbosheth ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - David;   Dwelling;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Covenant, in the Old Testament;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Abner;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
He could not answer Aviner another word, because he feared him.
King James Version
And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
Lexham English Bible
And Ish-Bosheth was no longer able to answer Abner because he feared him.
English Standard Version
And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
New Century Version
Ish-Bosheth couldn't say anything to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
New English Translation
Ish-bosheth was unable to answer Abner with even a single word because he was afraid of him.
Amplified Bible
And Ish-bosheth could not say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
New American Standard Bible
And Ish-bosheth could no longer say a word in response to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And he durst no more answere to Abner: for he feared him.
Legacy Standard Bible
And he could no longer respond a word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
Contemporary English Version
Ishbosheth was so afraid of Abner that he could not even answer.
Complete Jewish Bible
Ish-Boshet couldn't answer Avner a word, because he was afraid of him.
Darby Translation
And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
Easy-to-Read Version
Ish Bosheth was too afraid of Abner to say anything in response.
George Lamsa Translation
And Ashbashul could not reply to Abner, because he feared him.
Good News Translation
Ishbosheth was so afraid of Abner that he could not say a word.
Literal Translation
And he was not able to return a word to Abner any more, because he feared him.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then coulde he not answere him one worde agayne, he feared him so.
American Standard Version
And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
Bible in Basic English
And so great was Ish-bosheth's fear of Abner that he was not able to say a word in answer.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And he coulde geue Abner neuer a worde to aunswere, because he feared him.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
King James Version (1611)
And he could not answere Abner a word againe, because he feared him.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Jebosthe could not any longer answer Abenner a word, because he feared him.
English Revised Version
And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
Berean Standard Bible
And for fear of Abner, Ish-bosheth did not dare to say another word to him.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Isbosech myyte not answere ony thing to Abner, for he dredde Abner.
Young's Literal Translation
And he is not able any more to turn back Abner a word, because of his fearing him.
Update Bible Version
And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
Webster's Bible Translation
And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
World English Bible
He could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
New King James Version
And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
New Living Translation
Ishbosheth didn't dare say another word because he was afraid of what Abner might do.
New Life Bible
And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner, because he was afraid of him.
New Revised Standard
And Ishbaal could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And he could no further answer Abner, a word, - because he feared him.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he could not answer him a word, because he feared him.
Revised Standard Version
And Ish-bo'sheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
THE MESSAGE
Ish-Bosheth, cowed by Abner's outburst, couldn't say another word.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
And he could no longer answer Abner a word, because he was afraid of him.

Contextual Overview

7Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?” 8Abner was very angry about Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I a dog’s head who belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I’ve been loyal to the family of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends and haven’t betrayed you to David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman! 9May God punish Abner and do so severely if I don’t do for David what the Lord swore to him: 10to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beer-sheba.” 11Ish-bosheth did not dare respond to Abner because he was afraid of him.12Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to turn all Israel over to you.” 13David replied, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there’s one thing I require of you: You will not see my face unless you first bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me.” 14Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal. I was engaged to her for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.” 15So Ish-bosheth sent someone to take her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish. 16Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he went back.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

because: 2 Samuel 3:39

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 14:28 - which belonged to Judah Psalms 60:2 - broken

Cross-References

Genesis 4:10
Then he said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!
Psalms 50:21
You have done these things, and I kept silent;you thought I was just like you.But I will rebuke youand lay out the case before you.
Romans 3:20
For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 3:11. He could not answer Abner a word — Miserable is the lot of a king who is governed by the general of his army, who may strip him of his power and dignity whenever he pleases! Witness the fate of poor Charles I. of England and Louis XVI. of France. Military men, above all others, should never be intrusted with any civil power, and should be great only in the field.


 
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