Abner
Saul's cousin and the commander of his army, and the man who presented David to the king after Goliath fell. After Saul's death he installed Ish-bosheth as king over the northern tribes and held the kingdom together against David's house. Accused by Ish-bosheth over Saul's concubine, he switched allegiance and began delivering Israel to David — and was murdered at Hebron by Joab, avenging his brother Asahel, whom Abner had killed reluctantly in battle. David mourned publicly and disowned the killing: 'Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?'
What we know — and how we know it
Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Ancient writersJosephus narrates the career of Abner (Abenner), commander of Saul's army and later kingmaker for Ishbosheth, including his defection to David and murder by Joab. The account is genuine external testimony but is dependent on 1-2 Samuel.
Where in scripture
1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings1 ChroniclesThe word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.
1 Samuel 4:1
A man of Benjamin ran out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn, and with dirt on his head.
1 Samuel 4:12
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.
1 Samuel 14:50
Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
1 Samuel 14:51
When Saul saw David go out 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.”
1 Samuel 17:55
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.
1 Samuel 17:57
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.
1 Samuel 20:25
Then David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army. Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped around him.
1 Samuel 26:5
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 10 recorded sayings
“And when Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the army, Abner, whose son is this young man? And Abner said, On your life, O king, I have no idea.” — 1 Samuel 17:55
“And crying out to the people and to Abner, the son of Ner, David said, Have you no answer to give, Abner? Then Abner said, Who is that crying out to the king?” — 1 Samuel 26:14
“And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men give a test of their strength before us. And Joab said, Let them do so.” — 2 Samuel 2:14
“Then Abner, looking back, said, Is it you, Asahel? And he said, It is I.” — 2 Samuel 2:20
“And Abner said, Then go to the right or to the left and put your hands on one of the fighting-men and take his arms. But Asahel would not be turned away from going after Abner. Then again Abner said to Asahel, Go to one side, do not keep on coming after me: why will you make me put an end to you? for then I will be shamed before your brother Joab.” — 2 Samuel 2:21-22
“Then crying out to Joab, Abner said, Are fighting and destruction to go on for ever? do you not see that the end will only be bitter? how long will it be before you send the people back and make them give up attacking their countrymen?” — 2 Samuel 2:26
“And Abner was very angry at the words of Ish-bosheth, and he said, Am I a dog's head of Judah? I am this day doing all in my power for the cause of your father Saul and for his brothers and his friends, and have not given you up into the hands of David, and now you say I have done wrong with a woman. May God's punishment be on Abner, if I do not for David as the Lord in his oath has said, And if I do not take away the kingdom from the family of Saul and make David ruler over Israel and Judah from Dan as far as Beer-sheba!” — 2 Samuel 3:8-10
“And Abner sent men to David at Hebron, saying, Make an agreement with me, and I will give you my support in getting all Israel on your side.” — 2 Samuel 3:12
…and 2 more recorded sayings.
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
In art
