Topical Bible: Homicide: Felonious: Abner

◄ Homicide: Felonious: Abner ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Abner, the son of Ner, was a prominent military commander in the Old Testament, serving as the commander of Saul's army. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Abner's life and actions are significant in the context of felonious homicide, particularly in the events surrounding the death of Asahel and Abner's own demise.

Asahel's Death

The first notable incident involving Abner and felonious homicide occurs during the conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David. Asahel, the brother of Joab and a swift runner, pursued Abner after a battle. Despite Abner's warnings to turn aside and cease the pursuit, Asahel persisted. In self-defense, Abner struck Asahel with the butt of his spear, resulting in Asahel's death. This act, while in the heat of battle, set off a chain of events that would later lead to further bloodshed. The account is recorded in 2 Samuel 2:23 : "But Asahel refused to turn aside, so Abner struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear, and the spear came out his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died."

Abner's Death

Abner's own death is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the early monarchy of Israel. After the death of Saul, Abner initially supported Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, as king over Israel. However, due to a falling out with Ish-bosheth, Abner sought to transfer his allegiance to David, the anointed king of Judah. Abner's decision to support David was a significant political move, as he held considerable influence over the tribes of Israel.

Despite Abner's intentions to broker peace and unify the kingdom under David, his past actions caught up with him. Joab, the commander of David's army and brother of Asahel, harbored a grudge against Abner for Asahel's death. Joab deceitfully lured Abner into a private meeting at the gate of Hebron, a city of refuge, and there he killed him in cold blood. This act of vengeance is described in 2 Samuel 3:27 : "Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway to speak with him privately, and there to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died."

Theological and Moral Implications

The narrative of Abner's life and death raises significant theological and moral questions regarding justice, vengeance, and the sanctity of life. Abner's killing of Asahel, though occurring in the context of war, initiated a cycle of retribution that culminated in his own murder. Joab's act of killing Abner was not only a personal vendetta but also a violation of the sanctity of a city of refuge, where Abner should have been safe from blood vengeance.

David's response to Abner's murder further underscores the gravity of the act. David publicly mourned Abner's death and distanced himself from Joab's actions, declaring his own innocence and pronouncing a curse on Joab's house (2 Samuel 3:28-29): "Afterward, when David heard about this, he said, 'I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. May it whirl over the head of Joab and his father’s whole house! May the house of Joab never be without someone who has a discharge or a leper, or who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.'"

The account of Abner serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive nature of vengeance and the importance of justice and mercy in accordance with God's law.

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2 Samuel 2:18-24
And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
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