Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Abner, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is primarily known as the cousin of King Saul and the commander of Saul's army. His account is mainly recounted in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. Abner's role in the political and military landscape of Israel during the transition from Saul's reign to David's kingship is significant. Family and Early Life: Abner was the son of Ner, who was Saul's uncle, making Abner Saul's cousin. This familial connection placed him in a position of influence and trust within Saul's administration. The Bible does not provide extensive details about Abner's early life, but his close relationship with Saul suggests a background of military and leadership training. Military Leadership: As the commander of Saul's army, Abner played a crucial role in the military campaigns against the Philistines and other enemies of Israel. His leadership is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:50, where he is identified as the commander of Saul's forces. Abner's military prowess and loyalty to Saul are evident throughout the narrative of Saul's reign. Conflict with David: Abner's relationship with David is complex. Initially, he is a staunch supporter of Saul, opposing David, who was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king of Israel. Abner's loyalty to Saul is demonstrated in several encounters with David, including the incident where David spares Saul's life in the wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 26:5-12). Despite David's magnanimity, Abner remains committed to Saul's cause. Role in the Succession Crisis: After Saul's death at the Battle of Gilboa, Abner takes a decisive role in the succession crisis. He supports Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, and makes him king over Israel, except for the tribe of Judah, which follows David (2 Samuel 2:8-10). This act sets the stage for a prolonged conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David. Defection to David: The turning point in Abner's account occurs when he defects to David's side. This decision is precipitated by a falling out with Ish-bosheth over a personal dispute (2 Samuel 3:6-11). Recognizing David's growing power and the futility of continued conflict, Abner seeks to negotiate a peaceful transfer of power to David. He approaches David with an offer to bring all Israel under his rule (2 Samuel 3:12-21). Death: Abner's life comes to a tragic end when he is murdered by Joab, David's military commander. Joab kills Abner in Hebron, seeking revenge for the death of his brother Asahel, whom Abner had killed in battle (2 Samuel 3:27). David publicly mourns Abner's death, lamenting the loss of a great leader and distancing himself from the act of violence (2 Samuel 3:31-39). Legacy: Abner's legacy is marked by his initial opposition to David and his eventual recognition of David's divine mandate to rule Israel. His actions significantly influenced the political landscape of Israel during a critical period of transition. Despite his complex and sometimes controversial role, Abner is remembered as a skilled military leader and a key figure in the establishment of David's kingdom. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary AbnerSmith's Bible Dictionary Abner(father of light).
ATS Bible Dictionary AbnerThe son of Ner, Saul's uncle, and the general of his armies, 1 Samuel 14:50. For seven years after Saul's death, he supported Ish-bosheth; but being reproved by him for his conduct towards Rizpah, he undertook to unite the whole kingdom under David. He was, however, treacherously slain by Joab, either to revenge the death of Asahel, Joab's brother, who Abner had formerly killed, or more probably from jealousy. David abhorred this perfidious act, and composed an elegy on his death, 2 Samuel 2:8 3:33. He also charged Solomon to punish the crime of Joab with death, 1 Kings 2:5,6. Easton's Bible Dictionary Father of light; i.e., "enlightening", the son of Ner and uncle of Saul. He was commander-in-chief of Saul's army (1 Samuel 14:50; 17:55; 20:25). He first introduced David to the court of Saul after the victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:57). After the death of Saul, David was made king over Judah, and reigned in Hebron. Among the other tribes there was a feeling of hostility to Judah; and Abner, at the head of Ephraim, fostered this hostility in the interest of the house of Saul, whose son Ish-bosheth he caused to be proclaimed king (2 Samuel 2:8). A state of war existed between these two kings. A battle fatal to Abner, who was the leader of Ish-boseth's army, was fought with David's army under Joab at Gibeon (2 Samuel 2:12). Abner, escaping from the field, was overtaken by Asahel, who was "light of foot as a wild roe," the brother of Joab and Abishai, whom he thrust through with a back stroke of his spear (2 Samuel 2:18-32).Being rebuked by Ish-bosheth for the impropriety of taking to wife Rizpah, who had been a concubine of King Saul, he found an excuse for going over to the side of David, whom he now professed to regard as anointed by the Lord to reign over all Israel. David received him favourably, and promised that he would have command of the armies. At this time Joab was absent from Hebron, but on his return he found what had happened. Abner had just left the city; but Joab by a stratagem recalled him, and meeting him at the gate of the city on his return, thrust him through with his sword (2 Samuel 3:27, 31-39; 4:12. Comp. 1 Kings 2:5, 32). David lamented in pathetic words the death of Abner, "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" (2 Samuel 3:33-38.) International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABNERab'-ner ('abhner; in 1 Samuel 14:50 the Hebrew has the fuller form, 'abhiner, Abiner; compare Abiram by the side of Abram; meaning, "my father is a lamp"): Captain of the host under Saul and Ishbosheth (Eshbaal). He was Saul's cousin; Ner the father of Abner and Kish the father of Saul being brothers, the sons of Abiel (1 Samuel 14:50). In 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:39 the text appears to be faulty; read: And Ner begat Abner, and Kish begat Saul. According to 1 Chronicles 27:21 Abner had a son by the name of Jaasiel. Abner was to Saul what Joab was to David. Despite the many wars waged by Saul, we hear little of Abner during Saul's lifetime. Not even in the account' of the battle of Gilboa is mention made of him. Yet both his high office and his kinship to the king must have brought the two men in close contact. On festive occasions it was the custom of Abner to sit at table by the king's side (1 Samuel 20:25). It was Abner who introduced the young David fresh from his triumph over Goliath to the king's court (so according to the account in 1 Samuel 17:57). We find Abner accompanying the king in his pursuit of David (1 Samuel 26:5). Abner is rebuked by David for his negligence in keeping watch over his master (ibid., 15). Strong's Hebrew 74. Abner -- "my father is a lamp," an Israelite name... 73, 74. Abner. 75 . "my father is a lamp," an Israelite name. Transliteration: Abner Phonetic Spelling: (ab-nare') Short Definition: Abner. ... /hebrew/74.htm - 6k 5369. Ner -- father of Abner, also the father of Kish Library The History of David A Soldier who Spared his Enemy One Fold and one Shepherd The King. How the Meek and the Passionate are to be Admonished. How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of The Bright Dawn of a Reign That Upon the Slaughter of Ishbosheth by the Treachery of his ... Love and Remorse A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation Thesaurus Abner (54 Occurrences)... Among the other tribes there was a feeling of hostility to Judah; and Abner, at the head of Ephraim, fostered this hostility in the interest of the house of ... /a/abner.htm - 30k Abner's (4 Occurrences) Ner (17 Occurrences) As'ahel (17 Occurrences) Asahel (17 Occurrences) Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences) Ish-bo'sheth (13 Occurrences) Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences) Helkath-hazzurim (1 Occurrence) Helkathhazzurim (1 Occurrence) Resources Who was Abner in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Abner and Joab? | GotQuestions.org Who was Rizpah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Abner (54 Occurrences)1 Samuel 14:50 1 Samuel 14:51 1 Samuel 17:55 1 Samuel 17:57 1 Samuel 20:25 1 Samuel 26:5 1 Samuel 26:7 1 Samuel 26:14 1 Samuel 26:15 2 Samuel 2:8 2 Samuel 2:12 2 Samuel 2:14 2 Samuel 2:17 2 Samuel 2:19 2 Samuel 2:20 2 Samuel 2:21 2 Samuel 2:22 2 Samuel 2:23 2 Samuel 2:24 2 Samuel 2:25 2 Samuel 2:26 2 Samuel 2:29 2 Samuel 2:30 2 Samuel 2:31 2 Samuel 3:6 2 Samuel 3:7 2 Samuel 3:8 2 Samuel 3:9 2 Samuel 3:11 2 Samuel 3:12 2 Samuel 3:16 2 Samuel 3:17 2 Samuel 3:19 2 Samuel 3:20 2 Samuel 3:21 2 Samuel 3:22 2 Samuel 3:23 2 Samuel 3:24 2 Samuel 3:25 2 Samuel 3:26 2 Samuel 3:27 2 Samuel 3:28 2 Samuel 3:30 2 Samuel 3:31 2 Samuel 3:32 2 Samuel 3:33 2 Samuel 3:37 2 Samuel 4:1 2 Samuel 4:12 1 Kings 2:5 1 Kings 2:32 1 Chronicles 8:33 1 Chronicles 26:28 1 Chronicles 27:21 Subtopics Abner: Alienation of, from the House of Saul Abner: Dedicated Spoils of War to the Tabernacle Abner: Loyalty of, to the House of Saul Abner: Murdered by Joab; David's Sorrow For Related Terms Helkath-hazzurim (1 Occurrence) |