Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Samuel 3:8

8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dogs 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 ?

i. e. A vile and contemptible creature, as a Dog was. See Deut. 23. 18. 1 Sam. 24. 14. 2 Sam. 9. 8. and 16. 9. Iob 30. 1. Eccles. 9. 4. And a Dogs head is put for a Dog by a Synecdoche, usual both in the Hebrew and in other Languages, as the Head is oft put for the whole Man in the Latin Tongue.

So the Particle Lamed is well rendred, as el, which among the Hebrews is confessedly of the same nature and use, is used Eccles. 9. 14. Ier. 34. 7. Ezek. 13. 9, 20. Amos 7. 15.

Which I could oft and easily have done.

Either that thou accusest me falsly concerning this matter: or, that thou canst not wink at so small a fault (for so he esteemed it) as conversation with this Woman, who, whatsoever she formerly was, is now so impotent and inconsiderable, that she can do thee no service, as I have done.