Abner
Who was Abner in the Bible?
The commander-in-chief of King Saul’s army and a pivotal military leader during the transition of power to the house of David.
Abner, the son of Ner, was one of the most significant military and political figures during the United Monarchy of Israel. As the first cousin of King Saul and the commander-in-chief of his armies, Abner occupied a position of immense influence and power within the tribe of Benjamin. He served Saul faithfully throughout the king's turbulent reign, often appearing at the king's side during royal banquets and military campaigns. His tactical experience and leadership were central to the defense of the young Israelite monarchy against regional threats, most notably the Philistines.
Following the death of Saul at Mount Gilboa, Abner became the primary architect of the resistance against the rising house of David. He was the kingmaker who installed Saul's son Ish-bosheth on the throne in Mahanaim, effectively splitting the kingdom between the northern tribes and Judah. Abner’s life was characterized by intense loyalty to his kin, followed by a dramatic political shift when he attempted to unite all Israel under David. His career ended abruptly through an act of blood vengeance, an event that deeply grieved King David and shaped the early political landscape of Hebron.
Background and Family
Abner was a member of the tribe of Benjamin, belonging to a prominent family with close ties to the monarchy. According to 1 Samuel 14:50-51, he was the son of Ner, who was the brother of Saul’s father, Kish. This kinship made Abner and King Saul first cousins. The biblical record also notes that Abner was a father himself, with his son Jaasiel later serving as a leader over the tribe of Benjamin during the reign of David (1 Chronicles 27:21).
As the commander of Saul's army, Abner was a constant presence in the royal court. In the narrative of David’s rise, Abner is first introduced during the conflict with Goliath. When Saul witnessed David going out to meet the Philistine, he questioned Abner about the young man's lineage. Abner’s response—“As surely as you live, O king, I do not know”—highlights his focused role as a military man rather than a court gossip. Following the victory, it was Abner who personally brought David, still holding Goliath’s head, before the king.
Major Life Events
The Rise of Ish-bosheth
After the disastrous defeat at Mount Gilboa where Saul and Jonathan were killed, Abner took the initiative to preserve the Saulide dynasty. He took Saul’s surviving son, Ish-bosheth, to Mahanaim and proclaimed him king over Gilead, Ashuri, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and eventually all Israel, except for the tribe of Judah, which followed David. This act initiated a long civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David.
The Battle at Gibeon and the Death of Asahel
A significant turning point occurred at the Pool of Gibeon. Abner met David’s commander, Joab, for a ritualized combat between twelve young men from each side. When all twenty-four men perished, a general battle ensued, and Abner’s forces were defeated. During the retreat, Asahel, Joab’s brother who was known for being as fast as a wild gazelle, pursued Abner relentlessly. Abner, realizing the political fallout that would come from killing the brother of his rival commander, twice urged Asahel to turn aside and seize another soldier's equipment. When Asahel refused, Abner struck him with the butt of his spear, killing him. This event sparked a blood feud that would eventually lead to Abner’s downfall.
Defection to David
As the war continued, Abner’s influence grew, while Ish-bosheth’s authority waned. A rift occurred when Ish-bosheth accused Abner of sleeping with Rizpah, Saul’s concubine—an act that was traditionally interpreted as a claim to the throne. Outraged by the accusation after his long service, Abner swore to transfer the kingdom to David, acknowledging that the Lord had already promised the throne to him. Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and the Benjamites, then traveled to Hebron with twenty men to make a covenant with David. David received him with a feast, and Abner departed with the intent to rally all Israel to David's cause.
Assassination
Upon returning from a raid, Joab learned of Abner’s visit. Suspicious of Abner’s motives and seeking revenge for his brother Asahel, Joab sent messengers to bring Abner back to Hebron without David’s knowledge. In the gateway of the city, Joab pulled Abner aside as if to speak privately and stabbed him in the stomach. Abner died at the gates of Hebron, a victim of both political rivalry and blood vengeance.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Abner’s relationships were defined by military professionalization and tension. He was a protector of Saul, yet David once mocked him for failing to guard the king while Saul slept in his camp (1 Samuel 26:15). His relationship with Joab was one of mutual respect turned to lethal enmity. With David, the relationship was complex; though they were enemies for years, David recognized Abner’s worth, describing him as a "prince and a great man" (2 Samuel 3:38). David’s public mourning for Abner, including a formal lament, was a strategic and personal move to prove he had no hand in the commander’s murder, thereby securing the loyalty of the northern tribes.
Spiritual Significance
Abner represents the pragmatic, often brutal reality of the transition from the house of Saul to the house of David. While he initially resisted God's chosen king, he eventually acknowledged the divine mandate given to David (2 Samuel 3:9-10). His death serves as a cautionary tale regarding the cycle of violence and the difficulty of national reconciliation. The biblical text records that even King Solomon, years later, remembered the injustice of Abner’s death, characterizing him as a man "more righteous and better" than Joab (1 Kings 2:32). His burial in Hebron and the subsequent burial of Ish-bosheth’s head in his tomb marked the end of the Saulide military resistance and the consolidation of the United Monarchy.
Abner’s primary theological and historical significance lies in his role as the 'kingmaker' and the eventual bridge between the divided houses of Israel. His recognition of David’s divine right to rule—despite his previous loyalty to Saul—serves as a narrative confirmation that David's rise was not merely a military coup but a fulfillment of God's word. His death illustrates the complexities of justice and vengeance in the early monarchy, highlighting David’s struggle to control his own violent subordinates like Joab.
Furthermore, Abner is depicted as a man of high honor and military integrity who was ultimately undone by the treachery of his rivals. David’s lament for him emphasizes that Abner did not die as a criminal or a captive, but as a victim of a 'death of a fool' (2 Samuel 3:33), meaning a senseless death at the hands of those he trusted in a time of peace. His life and death were pivotal in the final unification of the twelve tribes under one king.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Abner's father?
Abner was the son of Ner, who was the uncle of King Saul. This relationship made Abner a first cousin to the king.
Why did Joab kill Abner?
Joab killed Abner to avenge the death of his brother, Asahel, whom Abner had killed in self-defense during the battle at Gibeon. Joab also likely viewed Abner as a political rival for the position of commander-in-chief under David.
How did David react to Abner's death?
David reacted with deep mourning and public grief. He ordered a period of sackcloth and fasting, followed Abner’s funeral bier, and composed a lament for him to demonstrate to the people that he had no involvement in the assassination.
Did Abner have any children?
Yes, 1 Chronicles 27:21 mentions that Abner had a son named Jaasiel, who served as a leader over the tribe of Benjamin.
What led Abner to abandon Saul's son, Ish-bosheth?
Abner abandoned Ish-bosheth after the king accused him of having sexual relations with Saul's concubine, Rizpah. Abner viewed this accusation as a grave insult to his loyalty and decided to help David unite the kingdom instead.
Family & Relationships
Parents
NerFather1 Samuel 26:5Stated
AbnerThis pageChildren
Jaasiel, son of AbnerSon1 Chronicles 27:21Stated
Extended family
AbielGrandfather1 Samuel 14:51Inferred
1 Samuel 14:51 lists Abiel and Abner among the sons of abiel, but does not say how the two of them are related.Evidence: 1 Samuel 14:51; 1 Samuel 26:5; 1 Samuel 26:14; 2 Samuel 2:8; 2 Samuel 2:12
Maacah, Wife of JeielGrandmother1 Chronicles 8:29Inferred
No verse names Abner and Maacah together; the grandmother link is carried from the surrounding genealogy and is not stated in Scripture.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 8:29; 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Samuel 26:5; 1 Samuel 26:14; 2 Samuel 2:8; 2 Samuel 2:12
SaulCousin1 Samuel 14:50Inferred
1 Samuel 14:50 names Saul and Abner in the same verse but does not state a cousin tie between them; the link rests on the surrounding narrative.Evidence: 1 Samuel 14:50
Baal, Benjaminite of the United MonarchyUncle1 Samuel 14:51Inferred
Reconstructed through Kish and Ner: 1 Chronicles 8:30 ties Baal to Kish; 1 Samuel 14:51 ties Kish to Ner; 1 Samuel 26:5 ties Ner to Abner. No verse states the nephew link between Baal and Abner directly.Evidence: 1 Samuel 14:51
Nadab, Son of AbielUncle1 Samuel 14:51Inferred
Reconstructed through Kish and Ner: 1 Chronicles 8:30 ties Nadab to Kish; 1 Samuel 14:51 ties Kish to Ner; 1 Samuel 26:5 ties Ner to Abner. No verse states the nephew link between Nadab and Abner directly.Evidence: 1 Samuel 14:51
Connected Figures
Family
Father · 1 Samuel 26:5
A high-ranking Benjamite of the United Monarchy, father of the commander Abner, and uncle to Israel's first king, Saul.
Son · 1 Chronicles 27:21
Jaasiel, the son of Abner, served as the tribal leader or chief officer over the tribe of Benjamin during the reign of King David.
United MonarchyFirst: 1 Chronicles 27:211 versesChief OfficerBenjamin
Grandfather · 1 Samuel 14:51
A prominent Benjamite and the paternal grandfather of Saul, Israel's first king, and Abner, the commander of Saul's army.
Grandmother · 1 Chronicles 8:29
Maacah was a Benjaminite matriarch in the United Monarchy era, the wife of Jeiel and the grandmother of King Saul.
United MonarchyFirst: 1 Chronicles 8:298 versesMatriarchBenjamin
Cousin · 1 Samuel 14:50
Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel from the tribe of Benjamin to lead the United Monarchy against the Philistine threat.
United MonarchyFirst: 1 Samuel 9:2339 versesFirst King of IsraelBenjamin
Uncle · 1 Samuel 14:51
A Benjaminite nobleman and son of Jeiel, identified as a paternal uncle of King Saul within the genealogies of the United Monarchy.
United MonarchyFirst: 1 Chronicles 8:3015 versesTribal NoblemanBenjamin
Uncle · 1 Samuel 14:51
A Benjaminite nobleman of Gibeon and the son of Abiel, known as an uncle of King Saul and a member of the ancestral line that established the first royal house of Israel.
United MonarchyFirst: 1 Chronicles 8:3011 versesBenjaminite NoblemanBenjamin
Categories
Mentions by Book
- 1 Samuel9
- 2 Samuel41
- 1 Kings2
- 1 Chronicles5
Scripture References
All 57 indexed verses, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
- 1 Samuel 14:50
His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner.
- 1 Samuel 14:51
Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
- 1 Samuel 17:55Partial
As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.”
- 1 Samuel 17:57
So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul.
- 1 Samuel 20:25
He sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty.
- 1 Samuel 26:5
Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp, with the troops camped around him.
- 1 Samuel 26:7
That night David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the troops were lying around him.
- 1 Samuel 26:14Partial
And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner replied.
- 1 Samuel 26:15
So David said to Abner, “You are a man, aren’t you? And who in Israel is your equal? Why then did you not protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him?
- 2 Samuel 2:8
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,
- 2 Samuel 2:12
One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
- 2 Samuel 2:14
Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied.
- 2 Samuel 2:17
The battle that day was intense, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.
- 2 Samuel 2:19Partial
and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit.
- 2 Samuel 2:20
And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied.
- 2 Samuel 2:21
So Abner told him, “Turn to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.
- 2 Samuel 2:22
Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?”
- 2 Samuel 2:23
But Asahel refused to turn away. So Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.
- 2 Samuel 2:24
But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. By sunset, they had gone as far as the hill of Ammah opposite Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.
- 2 Samuel 2:25
The Benjamites rallied to Abner, formed a single unit, and took their stand atop a hill.
- 2 Samuel 2:26
Then Abner called out to Joab: “Must the sword devour forever? Do you not realize that this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell the troops to stop pursuing their brothers?”
- 2 Samuel 2:29
And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim.
- 2 Samuel 2:30
When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s servants were missing,
- 2 Samuel 2:31
but they had struck down 360 Benjamites who were with Abner.
- 2 Samuel 3:6
During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had continued to strengthen his position in the house of Saul.
- 2 Samuel 3:7
Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”
- 2 Samuel 3:8
Abner was furious over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!
- 2 Samuel 3:9
May God punish Abner, and ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD has sworn to him:
- 2 Samuel 3:11
And for fear of Abner, Ish-bosheth did not dare to say another word to him.
- 2 Samuel 3:12
Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and surely my hand will be with you to bring all Israel over to you.”
- 2 Samuel 3:16
Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he returned home.
- 2 Samuel 3:17
Now Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “In the past you sought David as your king.
- 2 Samuel 3:19Partial
Abner also spoke to the Benjamites. Then he went to Hebron to tell David all that seemed good to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin.
- 2 Samuel 3:20Partial
When Abner and twenty of his men came to David at Hebron, David held a feast for them.
- 2 Samuel 3:21Partial
Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once, and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.
- 2 Samuel 3:22
Just then David’s soldiers and Joab returned from a raid, bringing with them a great plunder. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, because David had sent him on his way in peace.
- 2 Samuel 3:23
When Joab and all his troops arrived, he was informed, “Abner son of Ner came to see the king, who sent him on his way in peace.”
- 2 Samuel 3:24
So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you dismiss him? Now he is getting away!
- 2 Samuel 3:25
Surely you realize that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to track your movements and all that you are doing.”
- 2 Samuel 3:26
As soon as Joab had left David, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David was unaware of it.
- 2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
- 2 Samuel 3:28
Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.
- 2 Samuel 3:30
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)
- 2 Samuel 3:31
Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier.
- 2 Samuel 3:32Partial
When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept.
- 2 Samuel 3:33Partial
And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool?
- 2 Samuel 3:37
So on that day all the troops and all Israel were convinced that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.
- 2 Samuel 3:38Partial
Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not realize that a great prince has fallen today in Israel?
Cited as a key verse; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 2 Samuel 4:1
Now when Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed.
- 2 Samuel 4:12
So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron.
- 1 Kings 2:5
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.
- 1 Kings 2:32
The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.
- 1 Chronicles 8:29Partial
Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah,
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 1 Chronicles 8:30Partial
and Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 1 Chronicles 8:33Partial
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 1 Chronicles 26:28
Everything that had been dedicated by Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah, along with everything else that was dedicated, was under the care of Shelomith and his brothers.
- 1 Chronicles 27:21
over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead was Iddo son of Zechariah; over Benjamin was Jaasiel son of Abner;