Abner
Cousin of King Saul and commander of his army, Abner set up Ish-bosheth as king and was slain by Joab at Hebron.
Abner was the cousin of King Saul and the commander-in-chief of his army. His name also appears as 'Abiner son of Ner', where the longer form Abiner means 'my father is Ner'.
Quick Facts
- Relation to saul
- Saul's cousin (1 Samuel 14:50)
Lore & Background
Abner is initially mentioned as the son of Ner, Saul's uncle, and the commander of Saul's army. He introduced David to Saul after David killed Goliath. He is not mentioned in the account of the battle of Gilboa. After Saul's death, Abner set up Ish-bosheth (also called Eshbaal), the only surviving son of Saul, as king over Israel at Mahanaim, east of the Jordan. David reigned at Hebron. War ensued between the two parties. The only engagement told at length was preceded by an encounter at Gibeon between 12 chosen men from each side, in which all 24 perished. Abner was defeated and put to flight. He was pursued by Asahel, brother of Joab. Abner warned Asahel to desist, but Asahel would not, so Abner struck him with the butt end of his spear, which went through his belly, killing him. This created a feud with Joab. According to Josephus, Joab pretended to be reconciled with Abner, not that he truly forgave him. Later, Ish-bosheth accused Abner of sleeping with Rizpah, one of Saul's concubines. Abner opened negotiations with David, who demanded the return of his wife Michal. After this was done and a feast held, Joab returned and slew Abner at the gate of Hebron, ostensibly to avenge Asahel. David had Abner buried in Hebron. Shortly after, Ish-bosheth was assassinated, and David became king of the reunited kingdoms.
Reader's Guide
In rabbinical literature, Abner is portrayed as the son of the Witch of En-dor and a hero of extraordinary strength. He is said to have exclaimed, 'If I could only catch hold of the earth, I could shake it.' According to the Midrash, it would have been easier to move a wall six yards thick than one of his feet. When Joab smote him, Abner seized Joab but released him when the Israelites pleaded for Joab's life. The rabbis agree Abner deserved his death, though opinions differ on the sin. Some blame him for not preventing Saul from murdering the priests of Nob; others for delaying David's reign; others for preventing reconciliation between Saul and David; and others for permitting Israelite youths to kill one another for sport. No reproach attaches for the death of Asahel, since it was in self-defense. Abner is styled 'Lion of the Law', and a halakic discussion between him and Doeg is recorded concerning whether Ammonite and Moabite women were excluded from the Jewish community. One prominent family in Jerusalem claimed descent from Abner.
Elsewhere in Figures of Scripture
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