1. 2 Samuel 3:11 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why couldn't Ish-bosheth answer Abner another word?

2 Samuel 3:11 (ESV)

11 And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

Ish-bosheth did not have the power to arrest Abner or do anything to him. Speaking to Abner, he had overplayed his hand and now he could do nothing further in response.