Abner
Pronounced AB-ner
- Meaning
- "Father of light; My father is a lamp"
- Origin
- Hebrew
Abner means "father of light" or "my father is a lamp" in Hebrew. He was the commander of King Saul's army and Saul's cousin — one of the most powerful military figures in Israel during the transition from Saul's reign to David's. After Saul's death, Abner maintained loyalty to Saul's house by making Ish-bosheth (Saul's son) king over the northern tribes, while David reigned over Judah. For years, Abner was the real power behind Ish-bosheth's throne — the kingmaker whose military strength held the northern kingdom together. Eventually, Abner defected to David's side, recognizing that God had anointed David to rule all Israel. He began negotiating the transfer of the northern tribes' allegiance — a process that could have unified the nation peacefully. But Joab, David's general, murdered Abner to avenge his brother's death in battle. David mourned Abner publicly: "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" This tribute reveals Abner's stature — even David recognized him as a man of exceptional ability.
Spiritual meaning
Abner — 'father of light' — was called a 'prince and great man' even by his rival. His story teaches that true greatness is recognized even by opponents, and that the cost of vengeance is often the loss of a potential ally.
Related verses (KJV)
"And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?"
2 Samuel 3:38 (KJV) →"And the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle."
1 Samuel 14:50 (KJV) →