Meaning of ABNER

"father of light."
Son of Ner, Saul's uncle, he was the king's cousin (1 Sam. 14:51). He was the general of Saul's army when David killed Goliath, and he introduced David to Saul (1 Sam. 17:55, 57).

When Saul harassed David in the wilderness of Ziph, he neglected Abner to protect the king, and David rebuked him as worthy of death (1 Sam. 26:1-16).

Upon the death of Saul, Abner took part in the hostility of the other tribes against that of Judah, and in Mahanayim he proclaimed Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, king of Israel, openly confronting David, proclaimed king in Judah (2 Sam. 2:8-10).

Abner was defeated in one of the battles between the two houses, and Asael, Joab's brother, set out to pursue Abner, who was forced, after insisting that he desist, to kill him in self-defense.

Abner took Saul's former concubine, Rizpah, as his wife. Ish-bosheth reproached Abner, possibly thinking that this indicated a desire by Abner to assume the throne himself.

This so angered Abner that he rebelled against his lord and made a pact with David. He made it a condition that Michal, his previous wife and daughter of Saul, be returned to him.

Once this condition was fulfilled, David held a party in honor of Abner and his men. At this point Joab, who had been absent, knowing what had happened, and possibly jealous and fearful that Abner would take his position, treacherously killed him, giving as the reason that Abner had killed his brother Asahel.

David was greatly affected by this event, and placed a curse on Joab (2 Sam. 3:6-39) that was fulfilled under Solomon, who followed the last wishes of his father (1 Kings 2:5; 28). -3. 4).

But there is no doubt that God's righteous government is seen in the death of Abner. It was on a personal note that he turned to David, even though he already knew very well, as he lent his support to the house of Saul, that David was God's anointed king.