Abner

(1 Sam. 14:50–51) (father of light) — son of Ner, uncle of Saul, well known as the faithful commander of his army. We first encounter his name in 1 Samuel 17:57: “And when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.” Owing to a lack of vigilance on Abner’s part, Saul’s life was once at David’s mercy in the wilderness of Ziph (1 Sam. 26). After David was anointed king over the house of Judah, Abner made Ish-bosheth, son of Saul, king over the eleven tribes of Israel.

Some time afterward David’s army, under the command of Joab, and Israel’s army, under the command of Abner, encamped opposite one another on the two sides of the pool of Gibeon, and the battle began with twelve young men on each side; a general engagement followed, ending in the complete defeat of Abner. He fled, but was pursued by Asahel, Joab’s brother, who was as light of foot as a wild gazelle (2 Sam. 2:18). When, in the heat of the pursuit, Abner urged him to turn aside and threatened him with death if he did not, and when Asahel would not listen, Abner turned his spear and struck him in the belly, and Asahel died on the spot (2 Sam. 2:23).

Joab and Abishai also pursued Abner, but at his entreaty they gave up the pursuit, and the battle ceased. As a result of a quarrel with Ish-bosheth, Abner went over to David’s side (2 Sam. 2:12; 3:12).