Topical Bible: Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Abner

◄ Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Abner ►

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Abner, the son of Ner, was a prominent military commander in Israel's history, serving as the commander of Saul's army. His death and subsequent burial are significant events recorded in the Old Testament, illustrating the customs and practices surrounding burial during that period, particularly the involvement of relatives and friends.

The account of Abner's death and burial is found in 2 Samuel 3. Abner was killed by Joab, the commander of David's army, in an act of vengeance for the death of Joab's brother, Asahel. This act of treachery occurred after Abner had sought to make peace with David and bring the tribes of Israel under his rule.

Following Abner's death, King David expressed profound grief and lamented the loss of Abner, demonstrating the respect and honor he held for him despite their previous conflicts. David's lamentation is recorded in 2 Samuel 3:33-34 : "Should Abner die the death of a fool? Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered; as a man falls before the wicked, so you fell."

The burial of Abner was attended by a significant assembly of people, including David himself, who played a central role in the mourning process. 2 Samuel 3:31-32 describes the scene: "Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, 'Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.' And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. So they buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept."

This passage highlights the communal aspect of burial practices in ancient Israel, where relatives and friends gathered to mourn and pay their respects. The public display of grief, including the tearing of clothes and wearing of sackcloth, was a customary expression of sorrow and loss.

David's participation in the funeral procession and his public lamentation underscored the importance of honoring the deceased, regardless of past enmities. It also served to distance David from the act of murder, affirming his innocence in Abner's death and maintaining his integrity before the people of Israel.

The burial of Abner in Hebron, a significant city in the history of Israel, further emphasizes the honor accorded to him. Hebron was not only a city of refuge but also a place of ancestral significance, being associated with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

In summary, the burial of Abner, attended by relatives and friends, reflects the deep-seated traditions of communal mourning and respect for the dead in ancient Israel. It also illustrates the complex interplay of personal relationships, political dynamics, and cultural practices in the biblical narrative.

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2 Samuel 3:31
And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
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