He could not answer Abner, because he durst not provoke Abner further, lest he should really execute what he supposed as yet he only threatened. Because he feared him, as having a greater interest in, and power with, both the army and the rest of the people, than himself had.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 3:11
2 Samuel 3:11
11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.