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?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to overlook how deeply this action cuts. Abner didn't just disrespect Ish-bosheth; he effectively claimed royal authority for himself, because in that culture, taking a king's concubine was a public declaration of intent to usurp the throne. This single act of defiance is what sparks the unraveling of Ish-bosheth's already fragile reign.
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?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Abner, Saul's powerful military commander, has been acting with increasing independence, even aligning himself with David. This act of taking Rizpah, Saul's former concubine, escalates the tension significantly, challenging the authority of Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, who is trying to maintain his fragile kingship. Ish-bosheth's confrontation with Abner is a desperate move to assert his power, and it ultimately leads to Abner's defection to David's side.
Why would entering a concubine cause such a major dispute? It wasn't just about romantic jealousy.
More Than Just a Wife
In ancient Israel, concubines held a unique and often vulnerable position. They were legally recognized as wives, but typically held a lower status than the primary wife or wives.
Abner was the powerhouse behind the throne, but this move revealed a dangerous ambition.
Overstepping Boundaries
Abner was Saul's military commander and had become the most powerful man in the divided kingdom after Saul's death. He was effectively the power broker for Ish-bosheth, Saul's son and the appointed king of Israel.
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Understand the original words
pilegesh · Hebrew Noun
A secondary wife, usually of lower status than a primary wife, whose children might not have full inheritance rights, though she was legally recognized and entitled to protection. In a royal context, having access to the former king’s concubine was considered a symbolic claim to the throne.
Abner's actions with Rizpah were a profound political statement, publicly claiming a position of power and authority that challenged Ish-bosheth's kingship. In ancient Near Eastern culture, taking a predecessor's concubine was often seen as a symbolic assertion of the throne itself.
c. 1010 BC
Death of King Saul
King Saul, the first king of Israel, dies in battle against the Philistines. His death leaves a power vacuum and triggers a succession struggle.
c. 1010 BC
David Anointed King of Judah
David is anointed king over the tribe of Judah in the southern region. Meanwhile, the remaining tribes rally around Saul's son, Ish-bosheth.
c. 1010-1003 BC
Reign of Ish-bosheth
Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, reigns as king over the northern tribes. His authority is largely dependent on his commander, Abner.
c. 1003 BC— this verse
Abner Goes to Ish-bosheth's Concubine
Abner, the powerful commander of Ish-bosheth's army, takes Rizpah, a concubine of the late King Saul, as his own. This act is a public challenge to Ish-bosheth's authority and legitimacy.
c. 1003 BC
Abner Defects to David
Enraged by Ish-bosheth's accusation and feeling his own position undermined, Abner defects to David, bringing with him support from the northern tribes.
c. 1003 BC
Assassination of Abner
Joab, David's commander, kills Abner, ostensibly to avenge his brother Asahel's death, but likely also to eliminate a potential rival for power and secure David's kingship.
c. 1003 BC
David Anointed King of All Israel
With Abner and Ish-bosheth removed, all the tribes of Israel anoint David as their sole king, unifying the nation after years of division.
This passage shows David taking Bathsheba, his father Saul's concubine, as his wife, highlighting the severe consequences of such actions and the political implications involved in relations with a former king's household.
Deuteronomy 27:20This verse from the Law explicitly curses anyone who lies with his father's concubine, directly addressing the taboo and sinfulness of Ish-bosheth's accusation against Abner.
1 Chronicles 3:3This genealogical record lists David's sons, including those born to concubines, and subtly points to the significance and status such relationships held within the royal household, even if irregular.
Song of Solomon 8:6This verse speaks of love being 'a flame of the Lord,' illustrating the profound, exclusive bond that marriage and even deeply committed relationships were meant to embody, contrasting with the potentially exploitative nature of concubinage.
It's easy to overlook how deeply this action cuts. Abner didn't just disrespect Ish-bosheth; he effectively claimed royal authority for himself, because in that culture, taking a king's concubine was a public declaration of intent to usurp the throne. This single act of defiance is what sparks the unraveling of Ish-bosheth's already fragile reign.
Abner, Saul's powerful military commander, has been acting with increasing independence, even aligning himself with David. This act of taking Rizpah, Saul's former concubine, escalates the tension significantly, challenging the authority of Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, who is trying to maintain his fragile kingship. Ish-bosheth's confrontation with Abner is a desperate move to assert his power, and it ultimately leads to Abner's defection to David's side.
Abner, Saul's powerful military commander, has been acting with increasing independence, even aligning himself with David. This act of taking Rizpah, Saul's former concubine, escalates the tension significantly, challenging the authority of Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, who is trying to maintain his fragile kingship. Ish-bosheth's confrontation with Abner is a desperate move to assert his power, and it ultimately leads to Abner's defection to David's side.
"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?”" — It's easy to overlook how deeply this action cuts. Abner didn't just disrespect Ish-bosheth; he effectively claimed royal authority for himself, because in that culture, taking a king's concubine was…
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Last reviewed October 2026