2 Samuel 3:7
New International Version
Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

New Living Translation
One day Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, accused Abner of sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, a woman named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah.

English Standard Version
Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

Berean Standard Bible
Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

King James Bible
And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?

New King James Version
And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

New American Standard Bible
And Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

NASB 1995
Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

NASB 1977
Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

Amplified Bible
Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah the daughter of Aiah; and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

Christian Standard Bible
Now 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? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now 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?”

American Standard Version
Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?

Contemporary English Version
He had even slept with a wife of Saul by the name of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah. But Saul's son Ishbosheth told Abner, "You shouldn't have slept with one of my father's wives!"

English Revised Version
Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul had a concubine named Rizpah (Aiah's daughter). Ishbosheth asked Abner, "Why did you have sex with my father's concubine?"

Good News Translation
One day Ishbosheth son of Saul accused Abner of sleeping with Saul's concubine Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah.

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, Saul had a mistress named Rizpah, who was the daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth asked Abner, "Why did you have sex with my father's mistress?"

Majority Standard Bible
Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, ?Why did you sleep with my father?s concubine??

NET Bible
Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you have sexual relations with my father's concubine?"

New Heart English Bible
Now Saul had a secondary wife, Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ishbaal son of Saul said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's secondary wife?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Why hast thou gone in to my father's concubine?

World English Bible
Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Saul has a concubine, and her name [is] Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and [Ish-Bosheth] says to Abner, “Why have you gone in to the concubine of my father?”

Young's Literal Translation
and Saul hath a concubine, and her name is Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and Ish-Bosheth saith unto Abner, 'Wherefore hast thou gone in unto the concubine of my father?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And to Saul a concubine, and her name Rizpah, daughter of Aiah: and he will say to Abner, Wherefore wentest thou in to my father's concubine?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul had a concubine named Respha, the daughter of Aia. And Isboseth said to Abner:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ishbosheth said to Abner,

New American Bible
Now Saul had had a concubine, Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ishbaal, son of Saul, said to Abner, “Why have you slept with my father’s concubine?”

New Revised Standard Version
Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ishbaal said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Ana; and Ashbashul said to Abner, Why are you going in unto my father's concubine?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul had a concubine and her name was Ratspa, daughter of Ana, and Ashbashul said to Abnir: “Why have you gone into the Concubine of my father?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and [Ish-bosheth] said to Abner: 'Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul had a concubine, Respha, the daughter of Jol; and Jebosthe the son of Saul said to Abenner, Why hast thou gone in to my father's concubine?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abner Joins David
6During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had continued to strengthen his position in the house of Saul. 7Meanwhile, Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?” 8Abner was furious over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!…

Cross References
2 Samuel 16:21-22
Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

1 Kings 2:22
King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

Genesis 35:22
While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:

1 Kings 11:1-3
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away.

1 Kings 2:13-25
Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied. / Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered. / “You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD. ...

Genesis 49:4
Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.

1 Chronicles 5:1
These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.

2 Samuel 12:8
I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more.

2 Samuel 12:11
This is what the LORD says: ‘I will raise up adversity against you from your own house. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to another, and he will lie with them in broad daylight.

1 Kings 1:5
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.

1 Kings 1:17-18
“My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’ / But now, behold, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know it.

1 Kings 1:35
Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”

1 Kings 1:50-53
But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’” / And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” ...

1 Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.

Matthew 1:6
and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?

Rizpah

2 Samuel 21:8-11
But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: …

Wherefore.

gone in

2 Samuel 12:8
And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

2 Samuel 16:21,22
And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong…

1 Kings 2:17,21,22
And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife…

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Abner Aiah Ai'ah Concubine Daughter Father's Ishbosheth Ish-Bosheth Ish-Bo'sheth Rizpah Saul Sleep Wherefore Wife Wives
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Abner Aiah Ai'ah Concubine Daughter Father's Ishbosheth Ish-Bosheth Ish-Bo'sheth Rizpah Saul Sleep Wherefore Wife Wives
2 Samuel 3
1. During the war David becomes stronger
2. Six sons are born to him in Hebron
6. Abner, displeased with Ishbosheth
7. revolts to David
13. David requires as a condition to bring him his wife Michal
17. Abner confers with the Israelites, feasted by David, and dismissed
22. Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and kills Abner
28. David curses Joab
31. and mourns for Abner














Meanwhile
This word sets the stage for a transition in the narrative, indicating that the events described are happening concurrently with other significant developments. In the broader context of 2 Samuel, this period is marked by political tension and power struggles following King Saul's death. The Hebrew root for "meanwhile" suggests a continuation or a concurrent event, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David.

Saul had a concubine
The term "concubine" refers to a woman who lived with a man but had a lower status than his wife or wives. In ancient Israel, concubines were often taken by kings and men of power, serving both personal and political purposes. The Hebrew word for concubine, "pilegesh," indicates a recognized but secondary partner. This reflects the complex social and familial structures of the time, where concubines could bear children and influence succession and power dynamics.

named Rizpah
Rizpah, whose name means "glowing" or "coal," is a significant figure in the narrative. Her account is one of tragedy and loyalty, as later events reveal her deep commitment to her sons. The mention of her name here foreshadows her future actions and the impact she will have on the unfolding story. Her presence in the text highlights the often-overlooked roles women played in biblical history.

daughter of Aiah
This phrase provides Rizpah's lineage, which is a common biblical practice to establish identity and social standing. Aiah, her father, is mentioned to give context to her background and possibly her status. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, family lineage was crucial in determining one's place in society, and this detail underscores Rizpah's legitimate position within Saul's household.

And Ish-bosheth said to Abner
Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, is the king of Israel at this time, though his reign is weak and contested. His confrontation with Abner, the commander of Saul's army, reveals the internal strife and lack of strong leadership within Saul's house. The Hebrew name Ish-bosheth means "man of shame," which is telling of his character and the perception of his rule. Abner, on the other hand, is a powerful military leader, and this interaction sets the stage for a significant shift in political alliances.

Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?
This accusation is not merely about a personal indiscretion but is laden with political implications. In the ancient Near East, taking a king's concubine was often seen as a claim to the throne or a challenge to the king's authority. The Hebrew phrase here implies a breach of loyalty and an assertion of power. Ish-bosheth's question to Abner is a pivotal moment that exposes the fragility of his rule and the brewing conflict that will eventually lead to Abner's defection to David's side.

(7) Rizpah.--The name of this woman is associated with her strong and tender grief over the loss of her sons, recorded in 2Samuel 21:8-11.

Wherefore hast thou gone in?--The harem of an Eastern monarch was considered as the property of his successor, and therefore the taking of a woman belonging to it as the assertion of a claim to the throne. (See 2Samuel 12:8; 2Samuel 16:21; 1Kings 2:22.) It is not probable that Abner had any such design, since he was exerting himself to maintain Ish-bosheth on the throne. But the king appears to have so regarded the act, as it is this implied charge of treachery that so greatly rouses the anger of Abner. The name of Ish-bosheth has dropped out of the Hebrew text, but appears in a few MSS., and is rightly restored in all the versions.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Meanwhile, Saul
וּלְשָׁא֣וּל (ū·lə·šā·’ūl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

had a concubine
פִּלֶ֔גֶשׁ (pi·le·ḡeš)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6370: A concubine, a paramour

named
וּשְׁמָ֖הּ (ū·šə·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

Rizpah,
רִצְפָּ֣ה (riṣ·pāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7532: Rizpah -- concubine of Saul

the daughter
בַת־ (ḇaṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Aiah.
אַיָּ֑ה (’ay·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 345: Aiah -- 'falcon', the name of a Horite, also of an Israelite

So Ish-bosheth questioned
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Abner,
אַבְנֵ֔ר (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

“Why
מַדּ֥וּעַ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

did you sleep with
בָּ֖אתָה (bā·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

my father’s
אָבִֽי׃ (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

concubine?”
פִּילֶ֥גֶשׁ (pî·le·ḡeš)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6370: A concubine, a paramour


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OT History: 2 Samuel 3:7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 3:6
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