Abner
Abner served as the commander of King Saul's army and, following Saul's death, backed his son Ish-bosheth's claim to the throne of Israel in opposition to David, who ruled only Judah. After years of civil war between the rival houses, Abner negotiated a defection to David that promised to unite the twelve tribes under one king. Joab, David's army commander, then murdered Abner in revenge for the earlier battlefield death of his brother Asahel, an act David publicly condemned through mourning and fasting to distance himself from the violence. This episode in 2 Samuel highlights the fragile transfer of power from Saul's line to David's and demonstrates how personal vendettas threatened the establishment of a unified monarchy under God's chosen ruler.
Biography
- Died
- c. 1005 BC, Hebron (murdered by Joab)
- Occupation
- Commander of Saul's Army
- Tribe
- Benjamin
- Father
- Ner
- Era
- United Kingdom
- Nationality
- Israelite
Family
Did You Know?
Abner was Saul's first cousin through their fathers Ner and Kish who were brothers, a detail underscoring how tightly military power remained within Saul's immediate Benjaminite clan during the early monarchy.
After slaying Joab's brother Asahel in self-defense at the pool of Gibeon, Abner warned Joab that continued fighting would only strengthen the Philistines, revealing his strategic concern for Israel's broader survival amid civil war.
Abner's break with Ish-bosheth occurred when the king accused him of having relations with Saul's concubine Rizpah, an allegation that publicly undermined Abner's authority and prompted his secret negotiations with David.
Before his death Abner had already secured pledges of loyalty from the northern tribes' elders and specifically addressed the reluctant Benjaminites, showing he wielded decisive political leverage in transferring the kingdom to David.
David's elaborate public mourning for Abner, including a fast and poetic lament that explicitly condemned Joab, served both to honor a fallen rival and to signal to Saul's followers that the assassination had not been sanctioned by the future king.
Key Passages
Abner Supports Ish-bosheth
2 Samuel 2:8-11
This passage shows how personal loyalties can delay God's plans, yet His promise to establish David still prevails.
8ut Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saulโs host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
Abner Defects to David
2 Samuel 3:12-21
This passage reveals how God sovereignly turns former rivals into allies, steadily advancing His promise to establish David as king over a united Israel.
12nd Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
Joab Kills Abner
2 Samuel 3:27-30
This passage reveals how revenge breeds more tragedy, urging us to release bitterness and pursue the reconciliation God desires.
27nd when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.