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Text:EBD:Abner

476 bytes added, 15:16, 15 August 2008
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[[Father (EBD)|Father]] of [[Light (EBD)|light]]; i.e., "enlightening", the son of [[Ner (EBD)|Ner ]] and uncle of [[Saul (EBD)|Saul]]. He was commander-in-chief of Saul's army (1 Sam. 14:50; 17:55; 20:25). He first introduced [[David (EBD)|David ]] to the court of Saul after the victory over [[Goliath (EBD)|Goliath ]] (1 Sam. 17:57). After the [[Death (EBD)|death ]] of Saul, David was made [[King (EBD)|king ]] over [[Judah (EBD)|Judah]], and reigned in [[Hebron(EBD)|Hebron]]. Among the other tribes there was a feeling of hostility to Judah; and Abner, at the head of [[Ephraim, The tribe of (EBD)|Ephraim]], fostered this hostility in the interest of the [[House (EBD)|house ]] of Saul, whose son [[Ish-bosheth (EBD)|Ish-bosheth ]] he caused to be proclaimed king (2 Sam. 2:8). A state of [[War (EBD)|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 (EBD)|Joab]] at [[Gibeon (EBD)|Gibeon]] (2 Sam. 2:12). Abner, escaping from the [[Field (EBD)|field]], was overtaken by [[Asahrl (EBD)|Asahel]], who was "light of foot as a wild [[Roe (EBD)|roe]]," the [[Brother (EBD)|brother ]] of Joab and Abishai, whom he thrust through with a back stroke of his spear (2 Sam. 2: 18-32).
Being rebuked by Ish-bosheth for the impropriety of taking to [[Wife (EBD)|wife ]] [[Rizpah (EBD)|Rizpah]], who had been a [[Concubine (EBD)|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 (EBD)|Lord]] to reign over all [[Israel(EBD)|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 (EBD)|gate ]] of the [[City (EBD)|city ]] on his return, thrust him through with his [[Sword (EBD)|sword ]] (2 Sam. 3:27, 31-39; 4:12. Comp. 1 Kings 2:5, 32). David lamented in pathetic words the death of Abner, "Know ye not that there is a [[Prince (EBD)|prince ]] and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" (2 Sam. 3:33-38.)
{{returnto}} [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]] | [[Abner]]
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