The Captain of Saul’s Host and Architect of Civil War
Abner, the son of Ner, stands as a towering, yet tragic, figure in the transition of the Kingdom of Israel from the House of Saul to the House of David. As the cousin of King Saul and the highly influential commander-in-chief of his army, Abner’s loyalty, power, and ultimate defection shaped a critical period of biblical history.
The Pillar of Saul’s House
Abner is first introduced early in the books of Samuel as a man of great stature and a military stalwart. He was the son of Ner, who was the uncle of Saul, making Abner the king’s first cousin. His official title was the captain of Saul’s host (1 Samuel 14:50), a position that placed him second only to the King in military authority.
His prominence is highlighted when he is tasked with bringing the young David before Saul after the slaying of Goliath:
“And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is. And 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 17:55-57, KJV)
Abner remained a steadfast supporter of Saul throughout the king’s tumultuous later years, even when David had been anointed by the Prophet Samuel to be the next king.
The Civil War and the Death of Asahel
Following the devastating Battle of Gilboa, where King Saul and three of his sons were killed, Abner refused to recognize David’s sovereignty. Instead, he took the remaining son of Saul, Ish-bosheth (also called Ish-baal), and crowned him king over all Israel (save the tribe of Judah, which followed David), setting up his capital across the Jordan at Mahanaim.
This decision initiated a prolonged civil war between the “house of Saul and the house of David.” Abner led the armies of Israel against the forces of David, commanded by Joab, the son of David’s sister.
In a fierce battle at the pool of Gibeon, Abner’s forces were routed. While in retreat, he was pursued by Joab’s young, swift-footed brother, Asahel. Abner, a seasoned warrior, warned him to turn back to avoid a blood feud, but Asahel refused:
“Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.” (2 Samuel 2:23, KJV)
Though Abner acted in self-defense, this killing laid the foundation for his own tragic end.
Defection and Treacherous Death
The conflict between the two houses wore on, with David’s house growing “stronger and stronger,” and the house of Saul “weaker and weaker” (2 Samuel 3:1). A fatal quarrel with Ish-bosheth over a concubine of Saul caused Abner to finally change allegiance. Outraged by the king’s accusation of treason, Abner swore to transfer the entire kingdom to David.
Abner entered into a covenant with David, promising to bring all the elders of Israel under David’s rule. David received him honorably and sent him away in peace.
However, David’s commander, Joab, returned from a raid and, learning of Abner’s visit, immediately suspected him of espionage and treason. But the deeper motive was personal vengeance. Unbeknownst to David, Joab sent messengers to recall Abner to Hebron.
“And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.” (2 Samuel 3:27, KJV)
King David was deeply grieved by the treacherous murder of Abner. He publicly mourned the great warrior, distancing himself and his kingdom from the wicked deed, proclaiming:
“Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?” (2 Samuel 3:38, KJV)
Abner’s life, a chronicle of military command, political maneuvering, and fatal vengeance, ultimately served as a catalyst for the immediate unification of all twelve tribes under King David.