Abner

2 definitions found

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Abner
     father of light; i.e., "enlightening", the son of Ner and uncle
     of Saul. He was commander-in-chief of Saul's army (1 Sam. 14:50;
     17:55; 20:25). He first introduced David to the court of Saul
     after the victory over Goliath (1 Sam. 17:57). 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 (2 Sam. 2:8). 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 (2 Sam. 2:12). 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 (2 Sam. 2: 18-32).
     
       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 (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 and a great man
     fallen this day in Israel?" (2 Sam. 3:33-38.)
     

From Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (late 1800's) [hitchcock]:

  Abner, father of light