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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Abner</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/a/abner.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/1_samuel/14-50.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/a/abner.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Abner</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/a/ablutions.htm" title="Ablutions">◄</a> Abner <a href="/topical/a/abner_and_amasa.htm" title="Abner and Amasa">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#hit" title="Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary">Hitchcock's</a> • <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Introduction: Abner, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is primarily known as the cousin of King Saul and the commander of Saul's army. His account is mainly recounted in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. Abner's role in the political and military landscape of Israel during the transition from Saul's reign to David's kingship is significant. Family and Early Life: Abner was the son of Ner, who was Saul's uncle, making Abner Saul's cousin. This familial connection placed him in a position of influence and trust within Saul's administration. The Bible does not provide extensive details about Abner's early life, but his close relationship with Saul suggests a background of military and leadership training. Military Leadership: As the commander of Saul's army, Abner played a crucial role in the military campaigns against the Philistines and other enemies of Israel. His leadership is first mentioned in <a href="/1_samuel/14-50.htm">1 Samuel 14:50</a>, where he is identified as the commander of Saul's forces. Abner's military prowess and loyalty to Saul are evident throughout the narrative of Saul's reign. Conflict with David: Abner's relationship with David is complex. Initially, he is a staunch supporter of Saul, opposing David, who was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king of Israel. Abner's loyalty to Saul is demonstrated in several encounters with David, including the incident where David spares Saul's life in the wilderness of Ziph (<a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm">1 Samuel 26:5-12</a>). Despite David's magnanimity, Abner remains committed to Saul's cause. Role in the Succession Crisis: After Saul's death at the Battle of Gilboa, Abner takes a decisive role in the succession crisis. He supports Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, and makes him king over Israel, except for the tribe of Judah, which follows David (<a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8-10</a>). This act sets the stage for a prolonged conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David. Defection to David: The turning point in Abner's account occurs when he defects to David's side. This decision is precipitated by a falling out with Ish-bosheth over a personal dispute (<a href="/2_samuel/3-6.htm">2 Samuel 3:6-11</a>). Recognizing David's growing power and the futility of continued conflict, Abner seeks to negotiate a peaceful transfer of power to David. He approaches David with an offer to bring all Israel under his rule (<a href="/2_samuel/3-12.htm">2 Samuel 3:12-21</a>). Death: Abner's life comes to a tragic end when he is murdered by Joab, David's military commander. Joab kills Abner in Hebron, seeking revenge for the death of his brother Asahel, whom Abner had killed in battle (<a href="/2_samuel/3-27.htm">2 Samuel 3:27</a>). David publicly mourns Abner's death, lamenting the loss of a great leader and distancing himself from the act of violence (<a href="/2_samuel/3-31.htm">2 Samuel 3:31-39</a>). Legacy: Abner's legacy is marked by his initial opposition to David and his eventual recognition of David's divine mandate to rule Israel. His actions significantly influenced the political landscape of Israel during a critical period of transition. Despite his complex and sometimes controversial role, Abner is remembered as a skilled military leader and a key figure in the establishment of David's kingdom.<a name="hit" id="hit"></a><div class="vheading2">Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary</div>Abnerfather of light<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div>Abner(father of light). <ol> <li>Son of Ner, who was the brother of Kish, (<a href="/1_chronicles/9-36.htm">1 Chronicles 9:36</a>) the father of Saul. (B.C. 1063.) Abner, therefore, was Saul's first cousin, and was made by him commander-in-chief of his army. (<a href="/1_samuel/14-51.htm">1 Samuel 14:51</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/17-57.htm">17:57</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm">26:5-14</a>) After the death of Saul David was proclaimed king of Judah; and some time subsequently Abner proclaimed Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, king of Israel. War soon broke out between the two rival kings, and a "very sore battle" was fought at Gibeon between the men of Israel under Abner and the men of Judah under Joab. (<a href="/1_chronicles/2-16.htm">1 Chronicles 2:16</a>) Abner had married Rizpah, Saul's concubine, and this, according to the views of Oriental courts, might be so interpreted as to imply a design upon the throne. Rightly or wrongly, Ish-bosheth so understood it, and he even ventured to reproach Abner with it. Abner, incensed at his ingratitude, opened negotiations with David, by whom he was most favorably received at Hebron. He then undertook to procure his recognition throughout Israel; but after leaving his presence for the purpose was enticed back by Joab, and treacherously murdered by him and his brother Abishai, at the gate of the city, partly, no doubt, from fear lest so distinguished a convert to their cause should gain too high a place in David's favor, but ostensibly in retaliation for the death of Asahel. David in sorrow and indignation, poured forth a simple dirge over the slain hero. (<a href="/2_samuel/3-33.htm">2 Samuel 3:33,34</a>)</li> <li>The father of Jaasiel, chief of the Benjamites in David's reign, (<a href="/1_chronicles/27-21.htm">1 Chronicles 27:21</a>) probably the same as the preceding.</li> </ol><a name="amt" id="amt"></a><div class="vheading2">ATS Bible Dictionary</div>AbnerThe son of Ner, Saul's uncle, and the general of his armies, <a href="/1_samuel/14-50.htm">1 Samuel 14:50</a>. For seven years after Saul's death, he supported Ish-bosheth; but being reproved by him for his conduct towards Rizpah, he undertook to unite the whole kingdom under David. He was, however, treacherously slain by Joab, either to revenge the death of Asahel, Joab's brother, who Abner had formerly killed, or more probably from jealousy. David abhorred this perfidious act, and composed an elegy on his death, <a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8</a> 3:33. He also charged Solomon to punish the crime of Joab with death, <a href="/context/1_kings/2-5.htm">1 Kings 2:5</a>,6. <a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>Father of light; i.e., "enlightening", the son of Ner and uncle of Saul. He was commander-in-chief of Saul's army (<a href="/1_samuel/14-50.htm">1 Samuel 14:50</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">17:55</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/20-25.htm">20:25</a>). He first introduced David to the court of Saul after the victory over Goliath (<a href="/1_samuel/17-57.htm">1 Samuel 17:57</a>). After the death of Saul, David was made king over Judah, and reigned in Hebron. Among the other tribes there was a feeling of hostility to Judah; and Abner, at the head of Ephraim, fostered this hostility in the interest of the house of Saul, whose son Ish-bosheth he caused to be proclaimed king (<a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8</a>). A state of war existed between these two kings. A battle fatal to Abner, who was the leader of Ish-boseth's army, was fought with David's army under Joab at Gibeon (<a href="/2_samuel/2-12.htm">2 Samuel 2:12</a>). Abner, escaping from the field, was overtaken by Asahel, who was "light of foot as a wild roe," the brother of Joab and Abishai, whom he thrust through with a back stroke of his spear (<a href="/2_samuel/2-18.htm">2 Samuel 2:18</a>-32).Being rebuked by Ish-bosheth for the impropriety of taking to wife Rizpah, who had been a concubine of King Saul, he found an excuse for going over to the side of David, whom he now professed to regard as anointed by the Lord to reign over all Israel. David received him favourably, and promised that he would have command of the armies. At this time Joab was absent from Hebron, but on his return he found what had happened. Abner had just left the city; but Joab by a stratagem recalled him, and meeting him at the gate of the city on his return, thrust him through with his sword (<a href="/2_samuel/3-27.htm">2 Samuel 3:27</a>, 31-39; <a href="/2_samuel/4-12.htm">4:12. </a>Comp. <a href="/1_kings/2-5.htm">1 Kings 2:5</a>, 32). David lamented in pathetic words the death of Abner, "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" (<a href="/2_samuel/3-33.htm">2 Samuel 3:33</a>-38.) <a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div>ABNERab'-ner ('abhner; in <a href="/1_samuel/14-50.htm">1 Samuel 14:50</a> the Hebrew has the fuller form, 'abhiner, Abiner; compare Abiram by the side of Abram; meaning, "my father is a lamp"): Captain of the host under Saul and Ishbosheth (Eshbaal). He was Saul's cousin; Ner the father of Abner and Kish the father of Saul being brothers, the sons of Abiel (<a href="/1_samuel/14-50.htm">1 Samuel 14:50</a>). In <a href="/1_chronicles/8-33.htm">1 Chronicles 8:33</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/9-39.htm">1 Chronicles 9:39</a> the text appears to be faulty; read: And Ner begat Abner, and Kish begat Saul. According to <a href="/1_chronicles/27-21.htm">1 Chronicles 27:21</a> Abner had a son by the name of Jaasiel. Abner was to Saul what Joab was to David. Despite the many wars waged by Saul, we hear little of Abner during Saul's lifetime. Not even in the account' of the battle of Gilboa is mention made of him. Yet both his high office and his kinship to the king must have brought the two men in close contact. On festive occasions it was the custom of Abner to sit at table by the king's side (<a href="/1_samuel/20-25.htm">1 Samuel 20:25</a>). It was Abner who introduced the young David fresh from his triumph over Goliath to the king's court (so according to the account in <a href="/1_samuel/17-57.htm">1 Samuel 17:57</a>). We find Abner accompanying the king in his pursuit of David (<a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm">1 Samuel 26:5</a>). Abner is rebuked by David for his negligence in keeping watch over his master (ibid., 15). Upon the death of Saul, Abner took up the cause of the young heir to the throne, Ishbosheth, whom he forthwith removed from the neighborhood of David to Mahanaim in the East-Jordanic country. There he proclaimed him king over all Israel. By the pool of Gibeon he and his men met Joab and the servants of David. Twelve men on each side engaged in combat which ended disastrously for Abner who fled. He was pursued by Asahel, Joab's brother, whom Abner slew. Though Joab and his brother Abishai sought to avenge their brother's death on the spot, a truce was effected; Abner was permitted to go his way after three hundred and threescore of his men had fallen. Joab naturally watched his opportunity. Abner and his master soon had a quarrel over Saul's concubine, Rizpah, with whom Abner was intimate. It was certainly an act of treason which Ishbosheth was bound to resent. The disgruntled general made overtures to David; he won over the tribe of Benjamin. With twenty men of them he came to Hebron and arranged with the king of Judah that he would bring over to his side all Israel. He was scarcely gone when Joab learned of the affair; without the knowledge of David he recalled him to Hebron where he slew him, "for the blood of Asahel his brother." David mourned sincerely the death of Abner. "Know ye not," he addressed his servants, "that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" He followed the bier in person. Of the royal lament over Abner a fragment is quoted: "Should Abner die as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: As a man falleth before the children of iniquity, so didst thou fall." (See <a href="/2_samuel/3-6.htm">2 Samuel 3:6-38</a>.) The death of Abner, while it thus cannot in any wise be laid at the door of David, nevertheless served his purposes well. The backbone of the opposition to David was broken, and he was soon proclaimed as king by all Israel. Max L. Margolis<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/74.htm">74. Abner -- "my father is a lamp," an Israelite name</a> ... 73, 74. Abner. 75 . "my father is a lamp," an Israelite name. Transliteration: Abner Phonetic Spelling: (ab-nare') Short Definition: Abner. ... /hebrew/74.htm - 6k <a href="/hebrew/5369.htm">5369. Ner -- father of Abner, also the father of Kish</a> ... 5368, 5369. Ner. 5370 . father of Abner, also the father of Kish. Transliteration: Ner Phonetic Spelling: (nare) Short Definition: Ner. ... /hebrew/5369.htm - 6k<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><a href="/library/wells/bible_stories_and_religious_classics/the_history_of_david.htm">The History of David</a> ... And Abner prince of the host of Saul, and other servants of Saul, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and led him about, and made him king over Israel, except the ... /.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm<a href="/library/sherman/the_childrens_bible/a_soldier_who_spared_his.htm">A Soldier who Spared his Enemy</a> ... And he saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army; and Saul was within the barricade, and the people were camped about ... /.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a soldier who spared his.htm<a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_f/one_fold_and_one_shepherd.htm">One Fold and one Shepherd</a> ... Only in the south David held his ground, and Abner had to cross Jordan to find a place of security for the remnants of the royal house. ... /.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/one fold and one shepherd.htm<a href="/library/maclaren/the_life_of_david/ix_the_king.htm">The King.</a> ... it had had while the king was one of the tribe, made it the nucleus of a feeble and lingering opposition to David, headed by Saul's cousin Abner, and rallying ... //christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm<a href="/library/leo/writings_of_leo_the_great/chapter_xvi_how_the_meek.htm">How the Meek and the Passionate are to be Admonished.</a> ... And this we shall shew better if we bring forward what was done by Abner. For, when Asahel attacked him with the violence of inconsiderate ... /.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xvi how the meek.htm<a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_1_how_david_reigned.htm">How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of</a> ... Son Of. Saul Reigned Over The Rest Of The Multitude; And How, In The Civil War Which Then Arose Asahel And Abner Were Slain. 1. This ... /.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm<a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_f/the_bright_dawn_of_a.htm">The Bright Dawn of a Reign</a> ... your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.8. But Abner the son ... /.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the bright dawn of a.htm<a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_2_that_upon_the.htm">That Upon the Slaughter of Ishbosheth by the Treachery of his ...</a> ... 1. When Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, had heard of the death of Abner, he took it to heart to be deprived of a man that was of his kindred, and had indeed given ... /.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 that upon the.htm<a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_f/love_and_remorse.htm">Love and Remorse</a> ... 'And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Xer, the captain of his host ... /.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love and remorse.htm<a href="/library/ballou/a_series_of_letters_in_defence_of_divine_revelation/title_page.htm">A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation</a> ... ABNER KNEELAND'S SERIOUS INQUIRY INTO THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE SAME. * * * *. ... Abner Kneeland's Serious Inquiry into the authenticity of the same. ... /.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/title page.htm<a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/a/abner.htm">Abner (54 Occurrences)</a> ... Among the other tribes there was a feeling of hostility to Judah; and Abner, at the head of Ephraim, fostered this hostility in the interest of the house of ... /a/abner.htm - 30k<a href="/topical/a/abner's.htm">Abner's (4 Occurrences)</a> ... Multi-Version Concordance Abner's (4 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 14:51 And Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. (See NIV). ... /a/abner's.htm - 7k<a href="/topical/n/ner.htm">Ner (17 Occurrences)</a> ... 1 Samuel 14:51 should be read, "Kish, the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of Abner, were the sons of Abiel." And hence this Kish and Ner were brothers, and ... /n/ner.htm - 13k<a href="/topical/a/as'ahel.htm">As'ahel (17 Occurrences)</a> ... (See RSV). 2 Samuel 2:19 Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he didn't turn to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. (See RSV). ... /a/as'ahel.htm - 11k<a href="/topical/a/asahel.htm">Asahel (17 Occurrences)</a> ... When fighting against Ish-bosheth at Gibeon, in the army of his brother Joab, he was put to death by Abner, whom he pursued from the field of battle (2 Samuel 2 ... /a/asahel.htm - 16k<a href="/topical/i/ishbosheth.htm">Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences)</a> ... Through the influence of Abner, Saul's cousin, he was acknowledged as successor to the throne of Saul, and ruled over all Israel, except the tribe of Judah ... /i/ishbosheth.htm - 14k<a href="/topical/i/ish-bo'sheth.htm">Ish-bo'sheth (13 Occurrences)</a> ... 2 Samuel 2:8 Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; (See RSV). ... /i/ish-bo'sheth.htm - 10k<a href="/topical/i/ish-bosheth.htm">Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences)</a> ... Through the influence of Abner, Saul's cousin, he was acknowledged as successor to the throne of Saul, and ruled over all Israel, except the tribe of Judah ... /i/ish-bosheth.htm - 15k<a href="/topical/h/helkath-hazzurim.htm">Helkath-hazzurim (1 Occurrence)</a> ... Among the fugitives from Gilboa was Ish-bosheth, the only surviving son of Saul, whom Abner, Saul's uncle, took across the Jordan to Mahanaim, and there had ... /h/helkath-hazzurim.htm - 9k<a href="/topical/h/helkathhazzurim.htm">Helkathhazzurim (1 Occurrence)</a> ... Among the fugitives from Gilboa was Ish-bosheth, the only surviving son of Saul, whom Abner, Saul's uncle, took across the Jordan to Mahanaim, and there had ... /h/helkathhazzurim.htm - 9k<a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Abner-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Abner in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a> <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Abner-and-Joab.html">What is the story of Abner and Joab? | GotQuestions.org</a> <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Rizpah-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Rizpah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a> <a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div>Abner (54 Occurrences)<a href="/1_samuel/14-50.htm">1 Samuel 14:50</a> and the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_samuel/14-51.htm">1 Samuel 14:51</a> Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55</a> When Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the army, "Abner, whose son is this youth?" Abner said, "As your soul lives, O king, I can't tell." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_samuel/17-57.htm">1 Samuel 17:57</a> As David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_samuel/20-25.htm">1 Samuel 20:25</a> The king sat on his seat, as at other times, even on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul's side: but David's place was empty. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm">1 Samuel 26:5</a> David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army: and Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped around him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_samuel/26-7.htm">1 Samuel 26:7</a> So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay around him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_samuel/26-14.htm">1 Samuel 26:14</a> and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, "Don't you answer, Abner?" Then Abner answered, "Who are you who cries to the king?" (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_samuel/26-15.htm">1 Samuel 26:15</a> David said to Abner, "Aren't you a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord, the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8</a> Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-12.htm">2 Samuel 2:12</a> Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-14.htm">2 Samuel 2:14</a> Abner said to Joab, "Please let the young men arise and play before us!" Joab said, "Let them arise!" (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-17.htm">2 Samuel 2:17</a> The battle was very severe that day: and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-19.htm">2 Samuel 2:19</a> Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he didn't turn to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-20.htm">2 Samuel 2:20</a> Then Abner looked behind him, and said, "Is it you, Asahel?" He answered, "It is I." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-21.htm">2 Samuel 2:21</a> Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and grab one of the young men, and take his armor." But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-22.htm">2 Samuel 2:22</a> Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then should I hold up my face to Joab your brother?" (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-23.htm">2 Samuel 2:23</a> However he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner with the back end of the spear struck him in the body, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place. It happened, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-24.htm">2 Samuel 2:24</a> But Joab and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-25.htm">2 Samuel 2:25</a> The children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-26.htm">2 Samuel 2:26</a> Then Abner called to Joab, and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Don't you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long shall it be then, before you bid the people return from following their brothers?" (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-29.htm">2 Samuel 2:29</a> Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30</a> Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/2-31.htm">2 Samuel 2:31</a> But the servants of David had struck of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred sixty men died. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-6.htm">2 Samuel 3:6</a> It happened, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-7.htm">2 Samuel 3:7</a> Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?" (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-8.htm">2 Samuel 3:8</a> Then was Abner very angry for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, "Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman! (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-9.htm">2 Samuel 3:9</a> God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Yahweh has sworn to David, I don't do even so to him; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-11.htm">2 Samuel 3:11</a> He could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-12.htm">2 Samuel 3:12</a> Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, "Whose is the land?" and saying, "Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Israel around to you." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-16.htm">2 Samuel 3:16</a> Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go! Return!" and he returned. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-17.htm">2 Samuel 3:17</a> Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, "In times past, you sought for David to be king over you. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-19.htm">2 Samuel 3:19</a> Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and to the whole house of Benjamin. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-20.htm">2 Samuel 3:20</a> So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-21.htm">2 Samuel 3:21</a> Abner said to David, "I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires." David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-22.htm">2 Samuel 3:22</a> Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-23.htm">2 Samuel 3:23</a> When Joab and all the army who was with him had come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in peace. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-24.htm">2 Samuel 3:24</a> Then Joab came to the king, and said, "What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone? (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-25.htm">2 Samuel 3:25</a> You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-26.htm">2 Samuel 3:26</a> When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David didn't know it. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-27.htm">2 Samuel 3:27</a> When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-28.htm">2 Samuel 3:28</a> Afterward, when David heard it, he said, "I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-30.htm">2 Samuel 3:30</a> So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-31.htm">2 Samuel 3:31</a> David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him, Tear your clothes, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. King David followed the bier. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-32.htm">2 Samuel 3:32</a> They buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-33.htm">2 Samuel 3:33</a> The king lamented for Abner, and said, "Should Abner die as a fool dies? (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/3-37.htm">2 Samuel 3:37</a> So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/4-1.htm">2 Samuel 4:1</a> When Ishbosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12</a> David commanded his young men, and they killed them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_kings/2-5.htm">1 Kings 2:5</a> "Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his sash that was about his waist, and in his shoes that were on his feet. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV <a href="/1_kings/2-32.htm">1 Kings 2:32</a> Yahweh will return his blood on his own head, because he fell on two men more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword, and my father David didn't know it: Abner the son of Ner, captain of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the army of Judah. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_chronicles/8-33.htm">1 Chronicles 8:33</a> And Ner was the father of Abner, and Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan and Malchi-shua and Abinadab and Eshbaal. (BBE)<a href="/1_chronicles/26-28.htm">1 Chronicles 26:28</a> All that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth, and of his brothers. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a href="/1_chronicles/27-21.htm">1 Chronicles 27:21</a> of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)<a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><a href="/topical/a/abner.htm">Abner</a><a href="/topical/naves/a/abner--alienation_of,_from_the_house_of_saul.htm">Abner: Alienation of, from the House of Saul</a><a href="/topical/naves/a/abner--captain_of_the_host.htm">Abner: Captain of the Host</a><a href="/topical/naves/a/abner--cousin_of_saul.htm">Abner: Cousin of Saul</a><a href="/topical/naves/a/abner--dedicated_spoils_of_war_to_the_tabernacle.htm">Abner: Dedicated Spoils of War to the Tabernacle</a><a href="/topical/naves/a/abner--loyalty_of,_to_the_house_of_saul.htm">Abner: Loyalty of, to the House of Saul</a><a href="/topical/naves/a/abner--murdered_by_joab;_david's_sorrow_for.htm">Abner: Murdered by Joab; David's Sorrow For</a><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><a href="/topical/a/abner's.htm">Abner's (4 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/n/ner.htm">Ner (17 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/a/as'ahel.htm">As'ahel (17 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/a/asahel.htm">Asahel (17 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/i/ishbosheth.htm">Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/i/ish-bo'sheth.htm">Ish-bo'sheth (13 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/i/ish-bosheth.htm">Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/h/helkath-hazzurim.htm">Helkath-hazzurim (1 Occurrence)</a><a href="/topical/h/helkathhazzurim.htm">Helkathhazzurim (1 Occurrence)</a><a href="/topical/a/abishai.htm">Abishai (25 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/w/watched.htm">Watched (50 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/c/commander.htm">Commander (111 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/s/saul's.htm">Saul's (79 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/j/jaasiel.htm">Jaasiel (2 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/l/lament.htm">Lament (44 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/l/league.htm">League (20 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/r/rizpah.htm">Rizpah (4 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/m/mahana'im.htm">Mahana'im (13 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/c/criest.htm">Criest (5 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/a/ammah.htm">Ammah (2 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/a/abi'shai.htm">Abi'shai (25 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/a/answerest.htm">Answerest (12 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/s/sirah.htm">Sirah (1 Occurrence)</a><a href="/topical/b/benjamites.htm">Benjamites (24 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/j/jo'ab.htm">Jo'ab (120 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/a/aren't.htm">Aren't (102 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/m/mahanaim.htm">Mahanaim (15 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/g/gibeon.htm">Gibeon (39 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/p/pursuing.htm">Pursuing (50 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/p/pursuit.htm">Pursuit (35 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/k/kish.htm">Kish (18 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/c/calls.htm">Calls (62 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/h/hebron.htm">Hebron (71 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/c/cries.htm">Cries (116 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/p/philistine.htm">Philistine (63 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/d/david's.htm">David's (142 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/b/bury.htm">Bury (78 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/m/mourn.htm">Mourn (87 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/j/joab.htm">Joab (128 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/y/youths.htm">Youths (28 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/j/judah's.htm">Judah's (18 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/j/jether.htm">Jether (8 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/l/loudly.htm">Loudly (31 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/l/lamented.htm">Lamented (19 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/l/lamenteth.htm">Lamenteth (4 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/g/groin.htm">Groin (4 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/g/giah.htm">Giah (1 Occurrence)</a><a href="/topical/w/wagons.htm">Wagons (14 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/w/weepeth.htm">Weepeth (29 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/w/wagon-defence.htm">Wagon-defence (2 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/f/fighting-men.htm">Fighting-men (30 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/t/trench.htm">Trench (8 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/t/troop.htm">Troop (28 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/r/repast.htm">Repast (4 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/r/rib.htm">Rib (5 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/l/lawless.htm">Lawless (16 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/e/encampment.htm">Encampment (8 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/d/desireth.htm">Desireth (26 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/m/murdered.htm">Murdered (25 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/p/pursueth.htm">Pursueth (28 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/b/bithron.htm">Bithron (1 Occurrence)</a><a href="/topical/b/bier.htm">Bier (3 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/b/barricade.htm">Barricade (5 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/b/bahurim.htm">Bahurim (7 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/c/chanted.htm">Chanted (4 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/c/churl.htm">Churl (6 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/c/chasing.htm">Chasing (12 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/c/carts.htm">Carts (13 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/c/compact.htm">Compact (6 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/a/abiel.htm">Abiel (4 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/a/ama'sa.htm">Ama'sa (12 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/a/aiah.htm">Aiah (7 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/s/slayeth.htm">Slayeth (28 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/p/pursued.htm">Pursued (75 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/a/answereth.htm">Answereth (144 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/w/wanted.htm">Wanted (73 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/g/grave.htm">Grave (128 Occurrences)</a><a href="/topical/c/circle.htm">Circle (32 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/a/ablutions.htm" 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