Abner
    father of light; i.e., "enlightening", the son of Ner and uncle
    of Saul. He was commander-in-chief of Saul's army (1 Sam. 14:50;
    17:55; 20:25). He first introduced David to the court of Saul
    after the victory over Goliath (1 Sam. 17:57). After the death
    of Saul, David was made king over Judah, and reigned in Hebron.
    Among the other tribes there was a feeling of hostility to
    Judah; and Abner, at the head of Ephraim, fostered this
    hostility in the interest of the house of Saul, whose son
    Ish-bosheth he caused to be proclaimed king (2 Sam. 2:8). A
    state of war existed between these two kings. A battle fatal to
    Abner, who was the leader of Ish-boseth's army, was fought with
    David's army under Joab at Gibeon (2 Sam. 2:12). Abner, escaping
    from the field, was overtaken by Asahel, who was "light of foot
    as a wild roe," the brother of Joab and Abishai, whom he thrust
    through with a back stroke of his spear (2 Sam. 2: 18-32).

      Being rebuked by Ish-bosheth for the impropriety of taking to
    wife Rizpah, who had been a concubine of King Saul, he found an
    excuse for going over to the side of David, whom he now
    professed to regard as anointed by the Lord to reign over all
    Israel. David received him favourably, and promised that he
    would have command of the armies. At this time Joab was absent
    from Hebron, but on his return he found what had happened. Abner
    had just left the city; but Joab by a stratagem recalled him,
    and meeting him at the gate of the city on his return, thrust
    him through with his sword (2 Sam. 3:27, 31-39; 4:12. Comp. 1
    Kings 2:5, 32). David lamented in pathetic words the death of
    Abner, "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man
    fallen this day in Israel?" (2 Sam. 3:33-38.)



 Abner, father of light