Who was Abner in the Bible?
Honest complements of an opponent are often the best measure of someone’s greatness. Although Abner and David frequently saw each other across the battle lines, the Bible gives of a glimpse of the respect they had for each other. As a young man, David had served under Abner. But later Saul’s campaign to try and kill David was led by Abner. After Saul’s death, Abner temporarily upheld the power of the king’s family. But the struggle between Abner and Saul’s heir, Ish-Bosheth, brought about Abner’s decision to support David’s claim to the throne. It was during his efforts to unite the kingdom that Abner was murdered by Joab.
Several years earlier, in a battle between Ish-Bosheth’s army under Abner and David’s forces under Joab, Abner fled and was pursued by Joab’s brother, Asahel. Abner told Asahel twice to stop following him. But the eager young soldier refused, so Abner killed him. Joab was then determined to avenge his brother.
Abner realized Saul’s family was doomed to defeat and that David would be the next king, so he decided to change sides. He hoped that in exchange for his delivering Saul’s kingdom, David would make him commander of his army.
Abner lived by his wits and his own will. God was someone with whom he would cooperate if it suited his plans. Otherwise Abner did what seemed best for him at the time. We can identify with Abner’s tendency to give God conditional cooperation since obedience is when the instructions on God’s Word fit into our plans. But our allegiance to God is tested when His plans and contrary to our.
What action should you take in obedience to God’s Word? Do you know God? Do you know Jesus?
Are you certain that you are going to heaven? If the answer is no or your not really sure and there is something stirring inside you at this very moment to do this, then all you have to do is say a small prayer and you can be assured of your name being added to the Book of Life. Go to the prayer of salvation and pray the words out loud and believe in your heart and you will be saved.
Abner’s story is told in 1 Samuel 14:50 – 2 Samuel 4:12. He is also mentioned in 1 Kings 2:5, 32; 1 Chronicles 26:28; 27:16 – 2
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