Abner

Lore & Background

Abner first appears as the commander of Saul's army, present when David defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17:55, 1 Samuel 17:57). He sat beside Saul at the king's table (1 Samuel 20:25) and was responsible for guarding Saul's camp, where David once found him sleeping (1 Samuel 26:5, 1 Samuel 26:7). David later rebuked Abner for failing to protect the king (1 Samuel 26:14-15). After Saul's death, Abner took Saul's son Ishbosheth to Mahanaim and made him king over Israel (2 Samuel 2:8). This led to war between the house of Saul and the house of David. Abner fought against Joab, David's commander, at Gibeon, where he killed Asahel, Joab's brother, in self-defense after warning him (2 Samuel 2:12, 2 Samuel 2:17, 2 Samuel 2:19-23). The battle ended with Abner's forces defeated (2 Samuel 2:17, 2 Samuel 2:31). Later, Abner became angry when Ishbosheth accused him of taking Saul's concubine Rizpah (2 Samuel 3:7-8). In his wrath, Abner declared he would help David become king, as the Lord had sworn (2 Samuel 3:9).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Abner as a powerful and loyal military leader who served Saul faithfully, but whose allegiance shifted after Saul's death. He is depicted as a valiant man (1 Samuel 26:15) who was not afraid to confront or be confronted. His killing of Asahel shows both his martial skill and his reluctance to kill a kinsman of Joab (2 Samuel 2:22-23). Abner's role in the civil war is central: he established Ishbosheth as king and led Israel's forces against David's men. However, his personal honor was offended by Ishbosheth's accusation, leading him to switch sides and pledge to fulfill God's promise to David (2 Samuel 3:8-9). The passages do not record his death or the outcome of his defection.

Did You Know?

• Abner was Saul's uncle, making him a close relative of the king (1 Samuel 14:50).
• He killed Asahel with the blunt end of his spear after warning him to turn aside (2 Samuel 2:22-23).
• Abner was the one who brought David before Saul after David killed Goliath (1 Samuel 17:57).
• He became angry when Ishbosheth accused him of sleeping with Saul's concubine Rizpah (2 Samuel 3:7-8).