It is not clear if Abner was angry because he was being accused of something that he had not done,1 or because he was being challenged by Ish-bosheth. Most likely it is the latter rather than the former. In his answer he made it clear that he had been loyal to the house of Saul again and again and that his loyalty was not to be questioned. Indeed, Abner initiated Ish-bosheth’s kingdom and sustained it with military power (2 Samuel 2:8–9).2
8 Abner fut très irrité des paroles d'Isch-Boscheth, et il répondit: Suis-je une tête de chien, qui tienne pour Juda? Je fais aujourd'hui preuve de bienveillance envers la maison de Saül, ton père, envers ses frères et ses amis, je ne t'ai pas livré entre les mains de David, et c'est aujourd'hui que tu me reproches une faute avec cette femme?