What Does 2 Samuel 3:8 Mean in the King James?

Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, 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?

2 Samuel 3:8 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

Abner’s defense rests on ⁨חֶסֶד⁩ (ḥesed, loyal kindness): he says his record of care for Saul’s house should count against the charge of betrayal.

THE MEANING

The verse holds an accusation beside a claim of loyalty: Abner says he continues to show care to Saul’s household and has not handed Ish-bosheth over to David, yet he is charged over a woman. His anger comes from being judged as disloyal despite the record he puts forward.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The charge against Abner does not, by itself, settle his loyalty; he answers it by naming the care and protection he says he has shown.

THE ROOT

חֶסֶד

ḥesed

GROWS FROM

חסד

Steadfast, loyal kindness: care that remains with someone or a household.

The consonants ⁨ח־ס־ד⁩ also appear in ⁨חֲסָדִים⁩ (ḥasadim, acts of loyal kindness) and ⁨חָסִיד⁩ (ḥasid, a loyal or faithful person). This root holds care and allegiance together, so Abner’s defense turns on the protection he claims to have shown, not only on what he feels.

ALSO GROWS

ḥasadim: Acts of loyal kindness.

חֲסָדִים

The plural presents kindness as something enacted; Abner points to his conduct toward Saul’s household.

ḥasid: A loyal or faithful person.

חָסִיד

This branch names a person by the quality of loyal care that Abner claims his actions display.

THE PATTERN

Loyal kindness is shown through sustained care when status, reciprocity, or allegiance is at stake.

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

1 Samuel 20:15 · KJVJonathan asks for kindness toward his household to remain even when David’s power has changed the stakes.

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6 · KJVThe verse places faithful care above a religious act offered without it.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Luke 6:35 · KJVKindness remains active even when the recipient offers no gratitude or return.

THE THREAD

And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?

2 Samuel 9:1 · KJV

Abner calls his care for Saul’s house ⁨חֶסֶד⁩ (ḥesed, loyal kindness); David asks whether he may show kindness to someone from that same house. The shared word links Abner’s defense of his loyalty with an act of care that crosses household and power.

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