Abner was an important military commander and advisor in the early history of Israel. He first appears in the biblical narrative as the commander of King Saul’s army. After Saul’s death, Abner supported Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth as king over Israel, in opposition to David. He later realigned himself with David, but was soon after killed by David’s commander Joab in an act of revenge. Here is an overview of Abner’s biblical story:
Abner Under King Saul
We first meet Abner in 1 Samuel 14:50-51, where he is identified as Saul’s uncle and the commander of his army. Abner had a prominent position in Saul’s kingdom. When David volunteers to fight Goliath, Abner brings him before Saul (1 Samuel 17:55). He was likely involved in many of Saul’s military campaigns against the Philistines and other enemies.
Supporter of Ish-Bosheth
After Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 31), Abner supported Saul’s remaining son Ish-Bosheth as the next king over Israel (2 Samuel 2:8). This set up a rival kingdom to David, who had already been anointed king over Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). Abner was the military leader behind Ish-Bosheth’s kingdom and led its army into war against David’s forces (2 Samuel 2:12-32). Though Abner was on the losing side in this conflict, he remained a threat to David’s power.
Makes Covenant with David
Abner eventually became dissatisfied with Ish-Bosheth and opened negotiations with David (2 Samuel 3:6-21). He brought the elders of Israel over to David’s side and made a covenant with him. Abner pledged to unite all the tribes of Israel under David’s kingship. This was a turning point, as Abner’s defection along with his military influence practically secured David’s throne over all Israel.
Killed by Joab
When Joab, David’s military commander, returned from battle and heard about Abner’s defection, he was angry that David received Abner peacefully (2 Samuel 3:22-27). This was because Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel in the earlier war between Ish-Bosheth and David. So when Abner left David’s city in peace, Joab sent messengers after him, recalled him, and assassinated him out of personal vengeance (2 Samuel 3:27).
David was outraged when he heard about Abner’s murder, cursing Joab and mourning for Abner (2 Samuel 3:28-39). David proclaimed his own innocence in Abner’s death. He even wrote a lament for Abner that is recorded in 2 Samuel 3:33-34.
Abner’s Importance
As this overview shows, Abner was a very influential military leader in the early years after the death of King Saul. Some key things to note:
- He commanded Saul’s army and was his close advisor.
- He first supported Saul’s dynasty under Ish-Bosheth in opposition to David.
- He later realigned himself with David through a covenant, securing David’s throne.
- His defection and death removed a major threat to David’s power.
- His murder by Joab against David’s will showed tensions even among David’s camp.
Abner was a politically ambitious and powerful player whose shifting loyalties had major implications for Israel’s kingship and unity as a nation. His life and death occurred during the tumultuous transition from Saul’s dynasty to David’s new reign over a consolidated kingdom.
Abner’s Character
The Bible does not explicitly pass judgment on Abner’s moral character. But some insights emerge:
- As Saul’s commander, he was loyal to Saul’s dynasty at first.
- He was bold and savvy, navigating tricky political waters to switch his support to David at a key moment.
- Yet his covenant with David was at least partly self-serving, as he aimed to gain power under David’s new regime.
- David’s high praise of Abner after his death may suggest David respected him as an honorable man overall (2 Samuel 3:38).
Abner seems to have been ambitious yet principled. He acted decisively to back the leaders he thought could unify and strengthen Israel as a nation. Yet he also used political disruptions to advance his own influence, a complex balance of motivations.
Lessons from Abner’s Life
Though Abner sought power, his life reminds us that power alone cannot protect us. Despite his military strength and political maneuvering, he could not stop rebel commander Joab from murdering him out of personal vengeance.
Abner’s shifting political loyalties also show the danger of ambition unchecked by integrity. He backed Saul then Ish-Bosheth, before aligning with David – supporting whoever seemed expedient for power. Contrast this with men like Jonathan who remained steadfastly loyal to Saul, come what may (1 Samuel 23:16-18).
Yet while Abner was imperfect, God still used him to accomplish His purposes. Abner’s defection helped unify the kingdom under David, through whom Jesus Christ would later come. God can use anyone to advance His plans, if we cooperate with His will.
Abner’s story offers several helpful lessons:
- The emptiness of seeking power for its own sake
- The need for integrity to temper ambition
- The danger of personal vengeance unchecked by justice
- The sovereignty of God over human plans and politics
As we navigate our own complex times, Abner reminds us to ground our actions and motives in ethics and service rather than self-interest alone. When used rightly, power and influence can serve the greater good.
Abner’s Family
The Bible contains some information about Abner’s family background:
- Saul’s uncle: Abner is identified as Saul’s uncle (1 Samuel 14:50). He was likely a brother or half-brother of Saul’s father Kish.
- Saul’s cousin: Some translations refer to Abner as Saul’s cousin. The Hebrew word can mean uncle, cousin, or other close relative.
- Father of Jaasiel: When listing David’s mighty men, 1 Chronicles 27:21 mentions “Jaasiel son of Abner” among the heroes from Benjamin.
- Married to Rizpah: Saul had a concubine named Rizpah who bore two sons to Abner (2 Samuel 3:7).
So the Bible shows Abner had close familial ties to Saul’s household. He likely had a lasting influence through his descendants like Jaasiel who served under David.
Abner in Biblical Archaeology
There are no archaeological finds that can be definitively linked to the biblical Abner. As a high-ranking military commander, we would expect evidence such as weapons, inscriptions, seals, or monuments connected to him, but nothing conclusive has been found.
However, archaeology provides rich cultural background on the military landscape Abner operated in. Finds like the ancient fortress at Khirbet Qeiyafa show the strategic strongholds that dotted Canaan. Weapons like spears and arrows shed light on the arms and tactics of Hebrew soldiers.
While Abner remains archaeologically elusive, the material culture of ancient Israel paints a vivid picture of the war-torn biblical world he inhabited as Saul’s commander-in-chief.
Abner in Apocryphal Literature
Abner does not play a major role in the apocryphal books of the intertestamental period. But a few texts make note of him:
- The Antiquities of the Jews by Josephus includes an account of Abner’s biblical story in support of King Ish-Bosheth and eventual defection to David.
- The apocryphal Prayer of Manasseh references “the blood of innocent Abel and the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah…and the blood of Abner son of Ner.” This lament lists Abner among other unjust killings in Scripture.
While not occupying a prominent place in apocryphal tradition, these references confirm Abner’s enduring legacy among post-biblical writers as a major figure of Israel’s past.
Abner as a Literary Figure
From a literary perspective, Abner plays an integral role in the evolving biblical narrative:
- Foil to David’s rise: As the general backing Saul’s dynasty, he provides political and military opposition complicating David’s ascent.
- Represents Saul’s house: His initial loyalty to Ish-Bosheth carries forward Saul’s lineage and the conflict with David.
- Drives drama and tension: His changing loyalties and eventual murder heighten uncertainty and intrigue in the story’s plot.
- Humanizes David’s court: His interactions with David reveal the underlying humanity of even the most powerful players.
Abner moves the story forward as a complex, ambitious figure whose decisions and demise shape the drama surrounding David’s crowded court and contested kingship.
Theological Symbolism
Abner is not typically interpreted as a major theological symbol in Scripture. But some aspects of his story can evoke wider spiritual truths:
- God’s providence: His political pivoting ultimately helped David’s cause, showing God working through human actions.
- Divine judgment: Joab’s murder of Abner against David’s wishes hints at consequences for bloodguilt.
- Forgiveness: David’s mourning of Abner offers a model of grieving former adversaries in a conciliatory spirit.
While Abner’s main role is as a politician and general, glimpses of theology emerge in how his story amplifies biblical themes of God’s plan, justice, and mercy.
Abner in the New Testament
Abner is not mentioned directly in the New Testament. But a few broad connections can be made:
- Jesus descended from David, so Abner tangentially played a role in preparing David’s ascent.
- The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who debated with Paul in Acts 17:18 may parallel the pragmatic political maneuvering represented by Abner.
- Abner’s emphasis on earthly power contrasts with Christ’s inversion of worldly notions of power and glory.
While Abner does not appear by name, the currents of politics, power, and providence seen in his life story re-emerge in various forms as the biblical drama continues to unfold.
Abner’s Relevance Today
As a political power player, Abner resonates with modern readers in several ways:
- His realpolitik approach to governance echoes current tensions between principle and pragmatism in politics.
- HisBid for power balanced with protection of his nation highlights dilemmas of political ethics today.
- The violent way he met his demise warns against basing security solely on military might or political alliances.
- His legacy calls leaders to temper ambition with integrity and service of others over self.
While the biblical world was vastly different from ours, human nature has changed little. Abner offers timeless insights into balancing power and ethics amid political conflict and transition.
