Contradictions and Paradoxes in 2 Samuel 3:8

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 2 Samuel 3:8 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 2 Samuel 3:8. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 2 Samuel, Abner was very angry because Ishbosheth accused him of doing something wrong when he was actually being kind and helping Saul's family. Abner felt it was unfair to be blamed when he had been loyal and good to them.

2 Samuel 3:8: Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, [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?

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 24:6

David respects Saul as "the Lord's anointed" and refrains from harming him, which contradicts Abner's claim of loyalty in 2 Samuel 3:8.

1 Samuel 24:6: And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of the LORD.

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 2:8-9

Abner makes Ishbosheth king, contradicting his later anger and assertion of innocence in supporting Saul’s house.

2 Samuel 2:8-9: But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; [Saul's host: Heb. the host which was Saul's] [Ishbosheth: or, Eshbaal]

Contradiction with 1 Kings 2:5-6

David accuses Abner of treachery, contradicting Abner’s professed support for Saul’s house in 2 Samuel 3:8.

1 Kings 2:5-6: Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, [and] what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that [was] about his loins, and in his shoes that [were] on his feet. [shed: Heb. put]

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 3:10

Abner himself proposes to transfer the kingdom to David, contradicting his claim of loyalty to Saul's house.

2 Samuel 3:10: To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 5:1-2

Israel acknowledges David as king, showing a shift in loyalty that contradicts Abner’s stance in 2 Samuel 3:8.

2 Samuel 5:1-2: Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we [are] thy bone and thy flesh.

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 3:12

Abner's secret negotiation with David contradicts his claim of loyalty to Saul's house.

2 Samuel 3:12: And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose [is] the land? saying [also], Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand [shall be] with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 11:1-3

The people recognize David's kingship as from the Lord, contradicting Abner's defense of loyalty to Saul's legacy.

1 Chronicles 11:1-3: Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we [are] thy bone and thy flesh.
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