The Biblical Person of the Day
Abner – the Commander Between Power and Reconciliation
Profile
- Name: Abner
- Time of birth: approximately the 11th century BC
- Place of birth: Israel
- Time of death: approximately the 10th century BC
- Age: unknown
- Occupation: commander of Saul’s army and later a supporter of Ish-bosheth
Short Story
Abner was a powerful military commander during the time of Saul and David. He belonged to Saul’s family and had great influence in the kingdom of Israel.
When Saul was king, Abner commanded the army. He was an experienced soldier, a man of strategy, and an important pillar of Saul’s rule.
After Saul’s death, Abner supported Saul’s son Ish-bosheth and made him king over Israel. As a result, he initially stood on the opposing side from David, who had already been recognized as king in Judah.
A long struggle for power arose between the house of Saul and the house of David. Abner played a central role in it.
Later, however, he came into conflict with Ish-bosheth. Abner then decided to support David and lead the tribes of Israel to him.
In this way, he could have become an important mediator for the unity of Israel. But Joab, the commander of David’s army, killed Abner in revenge for the death of his brother Asahel.
Abner’s story shows how dangerous struggles for power, revenge, and political tensions can be. It also makes clear that even decisions made late in favor of reconciliation can have great significance.
The Decisive Moment
Abner decides to support David and open the way toward the unity of Israel.
7 Special Facts About Abner
- He was a relative of Saul
- He was the commander of Saul’s army
- After Saul’s death, he supported Ish-bosheth
- At first, he opposed David
- He played a central role in the power struggle between the house of Saul and the house of David
- Later, he wanted to support David
- He was killed by Joab in revenge
Strengths & Weaknesses
strong
experienced
influential
capable of changing political direction
involved in struggles for power
served for a long time within a divided government
The Mistake That Shaped Him
Abner remained loyal to the house of Saul for a long time and became part of a struggle for power that divided Israel.
His story shows that power and loyalty without God’s clear guidance can lead to dangerous conflicts.
Key Verse
“Now then, I will go and make a covenant with David.” (2 Samuel 3:21)
The Life Lesson
Influence can divide or unite—the decisive question is how a person uses his power.
Application for Today
Do not use your influence to prolong conflicts, but to promote peace, order, and reconciliation.
Question for You
Where could you use your influence today to create connection instead of division?
Context
Abner lived during the period of transition between Saul’s reign and David’s final establishment as king over all Israel.
Connection
Abner was the commander of Saul’s army, supported Ish-bosheth, and later negotiated with David concerning the unity of Israel.
Conclusion:
Abner shows that influence carries great responsibility and that power can either prolong conflicts or open the way toward unity.
See you tomorrow with the next biblical person!
The Story of His Life
The Life Story of Abner – Power, Loyalty, and a Lost Peace
A Man from Saul’s Inner Circle
Abner belonged to Saul’s family and stood at the center of Israel’s political and military power. As commander of the army, he was one of the most important men in the kingdom.
His responsibility required courage, experience, and determination. In a time filled with wars and threats, a military commander was not only a soldier, but also a key political figure.
Abner was a man whose decisions could influence the destiny of many people.
Commander of Saul’s Army
While Saul was king, Abner commanded the army of Israel. He stood beside the king and was part of a system increasingly marked by fear, jealousy, and internal tensions.
David’s rise in particular placed the house of Saul under growing pressure. David was respected by the people, while Saul increasingly regarded him as a threat.
During this time, Abner remained loyal to Saul and his house.
After Saul’s Death
After Saul’s death, the path might have seemed clear for David, but Abner initially supported Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son.
He made him king over Israel, while David was already ruling in Judah. This created a divided kingdom and a struggle for power between two houses.
Abner thus became a decisive figure during a time when Israel needed unity but experienced division.
The Conflict with Joab
During this period, fighting broke out between David’s men and the men of Ish-bosheth. In one of these conflicts, Asahel, Joab’s brother, was killed by Abner.
Abner had warned Asahel and apparently did not want to kill him unnecessarily, but Asahel refused to stop pursuing him. In the end, Asahel died by Abner’s hand.
This death later became the trigger for a bitter story of revenge that would determine Abner’s own end.
The Break with Ish-bosheth
Later, a dispute arose between Abner and Ish-bosheth. Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, and Abner felt deeply insulted.
At that moment, Abner decided to withdraw his support from the house of Saul and turn toward David.
This decision was politically significant. Abner had enough influence to lead the tribes of Israel to David and thereby prepare the way for the unity of the kingdom.
The Way to David
Abner came to David and negotiated with him. He wanted to make a covenant and bring all Israel to David.
David received him peacefully and allowed him to leave. For a moment, it seemed that Abner could change from a man of power struggles into a man of reconciliation.
His influence, which had previously prolonged the division, could now have contributed to unity.
Joab’s Revenge
But Joab did not trust Abner. Above all, he still carried the pain and anger over the death of his brother Asahel.
Joab called Abner back and killed him in secret. By doing so, he not only destroyed Abner’s life, but also burdened Israel’s path toward unity with new guilt.
David publicly mourned for Abner and made it clear that this death had not happened according to his will.
The Lasting Message of His Life
Abner shows how great the influence of a strong person can be. His story makes clear that power can prolong conflicts for a long time when it is used wrongly.
But it also shows that a late change toward unity can be meaningful. The tragedy is that Abner could no longer complete this new path because revenge proved stronger than reconciliation.
Closing Thought
Abner was an experienced military commander, a man of influence and considerable political weight. For a long time, he served within a struggle for power that divided Israel.
When he finally sought the way to David, his influence could have promoted peace and unity. But old bloodguilt and revenge caught up with him.
His life story shows that influence is a responsibility—it can prolong division or prepare reconciliation, but revenge destroys what could have become peace.
