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== People's Dictionary of the Bible <ref name="term_69566" /> == | == People's Dictionary of the Bible <ref name="term_69566" /> == | ||
<p> [[Abner]] (''Ăb'Ner'' ), ''Father Of Light.'' 1. Son of Ner, who was the brother of Kish, 1 Chronicles 9:36, the father of Saul. (b.c. 1063.) Abner, therefore, was Saul's first cousin, and was made by him commander-in-chief of his army. 1 Samuel 14:51; 1 Samuel 17:57; 1 Samuel 26:5-14. </p> <p> After the death of Saul David was proclaimed king of Judah; and some time subsequently Abner proclaimed Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, king of Israel. War soon broke out between the two rival kings, and a "very sore battle" was fought at Gibeon between the men of Israel under Abner and the men of Judah under Joab. 1 Samuel 2:15-32. In this engagement he killed, in self-defence, Asahel, the brother of Joab and Abishai. Perhaps he now had some idea of seizing the [[Israelitish]] throne for himself; for he appropriated a woman of Saul's harem, which Ish-bosheth interpreted as an overt act of rebellion. Abner, incensed at his ingratitude, opened negotiations with David, by whom he was most favorably received at Hebron. He then undertook to procure David's recognition throughout Israel; but after leaving his presence for the purpose was enticed back by Joab, and treacherously murdered by him and his brother Abishai, at the gate of the city, ostensibly in retaliation for the death of Asahel; really, we may suppose, through jealousy, as he would have at least rivalled Joab in position. David, though unable to punish the powerful brothers, solemnized Abner's funeral with great respect and general mourning, and poured forth a simple dirge over the slain hero. 2 Samuel 3:33-34. 2. The father of Jaasiel, chief of the Benjamites in David's reign, 1 Chronicles 27:21; probably the same as the preceding. </p> | <p> [[Abner]] ( ''Ăb'Ner'' ), ''Father Of Light.'' 1. Son of Ner, who was the brother of Kish, 1 Chronicles 9:36, the father of Saul. (b.c. 1063.) Abner, therefore, was Saul's first cousin, and was made by him commander-in-chief of his army. 1 Samuel 14:51; 1 Samuel 17:57; 1 Samuel 26:5-14. </p> <p> After the death of Saul David was proclaimed king of Judah; and some time subsequently Abner proclaimed Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, king of Israel. War soon broke out between the two rival kings, and a "very sore battle" was fought at Gibeon between the men of Israel under Abner and the men of Judah under Joab. 1 Samuel 2:15-32. In this engagement he killed, in self-defence, Asahel, the brother of Joab and Abishai. Perhaps he now had some idea of seizing the [[Israelitish]] throne for himself; for he appropriated a woman of Saul's harem, which Ish-bosheth interpreted as an overt act of rebellion. Abner, incensed at his ingratitude, opened negotiations with David, by whom he was most favorably received at Hebron. He then undertook to procure David's recognition throughout Israel; but after leaving his presence for the purpose was enticed back by Joab, and treacherously murdered by him and his brother Abishai, at the gate of the city, ostensibly in retaliation for the death of Asahel; really, we may suppose, through jealousy, as he would have at least rivalled Joab in position. David, though unable to punish the powerful brothers, solemnized Abner's funeral with great respect and general mourning, and poured forth a simple dirge over the slain hero. 2 Samuel 3:33-34. 2. The father of Jaasiel, chief of the Benjamites in David's reign, 1 Chronicles 27:21; probably the same as the preceding. </p> | ||
== Smith's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_71321" /> == | == Smith's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_71321" /> == | ||
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== Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature <ref name="term_17255" /> == | == Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature <ref name="term_17255" /> == | ||
<p> (Heb. Abner', אִבְנֵר '','' once in its full form ''Abiner', אֲבַינֵר,'' 1 Samuel 14:50, father of light, i.e. enlightening; Sept. Ἀβεννήρ '','' [[Josephus]] Ἀβήναρος, Ant. 6:4, 3, elsewhere Ἀβίνηρος ''),'' the son of [[Ner]] (q.v.) and uncle of Saul (being the brother of his father Kish), and the commander-in- chief of his army ( 1 Samuel 14:50 sq.), in which character he appears several times during the early history of David ( 1 Samuel 17:55; 1 Samuel 20:25; 1 Samuel 26:5 sq.; 1 Chronicles 26:28). It was through his instrumentality that David was first introduced to Saul's court after the victory over [[Goliath]] ( 1 Samuel 17:57), B.C. 1063; and it was he whom David sarcastically addressed when accompanying his master in the pursuit of his life at Hachilah ( 1 Samuel 26:14), B.C. 1055. After the death of Saul (B.C. 1053), the experience which he had acquired, and the character for ability and decision which he had established in Israel, enabled him to uphold the falling house of Saul for seven years; and he might probably have done so longer if it had suited his views ( 2 Samuel 2:6; 2 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 5:5; comp. 6:1). It was generally known that David had been divinely nominated to succeed Saul on the throne: when, therefore, that monarch was slain in the battle of Gilboa, David was made king over his own tribe of Judah, and reigned in Hebron, the old capital. In the other tribes an influence adverse to Judah existed, and was controlled chiefly by the tribe of Ephraim. Abner, with great decision, availed himself of this state of feeling, and turned it to the advantage of the house to which he belonged: of which he was now the most important surviving member. He did not, however, venture to propose himself as king; but took Ishbosheth, a surviving son of Saul, whose known imbecility had excused his absence from the fatal fight in which his father and brothers perished, and made him king over the tribes, and ruled in his name ( 2 Samuel 2:8). This event appears to have occurred five years after Saul's death ( 2 Samuel 2:10; comp. 2 Samuel 2:11), an interim that was probably occupied in plans for settling the succession, to which Ishbosheth may have been at first disinclined. (See Ishbosheth). </p> <p> Nor, perhaps, had the [[Israelites]] sooner than this recovered sufficiently from the oppression by the [[Philistines]] that would be sure to follow the disaster upon Mount Gilboa to reassert their independence, at least throughout [[Palestine]] proper. Accordingly Ishbosheth reigned in Mahanaim, beyond Jordan, and David in Hebron. A sort of desultory warfare continued for two years between them, in which the advantage appears to have been always on the side of David ( 2 Samuel 2:1). The only one of the engagements of which we have a particular account is that which ensued when Joab, David's general, and Abner met and fought at Gibeon ( 2 Samuel 2:12 sq.), B.C. 1048. Abner was beaten, and fled for his life; but was pursued by Asahel (the brother of Joab and Abishai), who was "swift of foot as a wild roe." Abner, dreading a blood-feud with Joab, for whom he seems to have entertained a sincere respect, entreated Asahel to desist from the pursuit; but finding that he was still followed, and that his life was in danger, he at length ran his pursuer through the body by a back thrust with the pointed heel of his spear ( 2 Samuel 2:18-32). This put a strife of blood between the two foremost men in all Israel (after David); for the law of honor, which had from times before the law prevailed among the Hebrews, and which still prevails in Arabia, rendered it the conventional duty of Joab to avenge the blood of his brother upon the person by whom he had been slain. (See [[Blood-Revenge]]). </p> <p> As time went on Abner had occasion to feel more strongly that he was himself not only the chief, but the only remaining prop of the house of Saul; and this conviction, acting upon a proud and arrogant spirit, led him to more presumptuous conduct than even the mildness of the feeble Ishbosheth could suffer to pass without question. (See [[Absalom]]); (See Adonijah). He took to his own harem a woman named Rizpah, who had been a concubine-wife of Saul ( 2 Samuel 3:7 sq.). This act, from the ideas connected with the harem of a deceased king (comp. Josephus, Apion, 1:15; Herod. 3:68), was not only a great impropriety, but was open to the suspicion of a political design, which Abner may very possibly have entertained. (See [[Harem]]). </p> <p> A mild rebuke from the nominal king, however, enraged him greatly; and he plainly declared that he would henceforth abandon his cause and devote himself to the interests of David. To excuse this desertion to his own mind, he then and on other occasions avowed his knowledge that the son of [[Jesse]] had been appointed by the Lord to reign over all Israel; but he appears to have been unconscious that this avowal exposed his previous conduct to more censure than it offered excuse for his present. He, however, kept his word with Ishbosheth. After a tour, during which he explained his present views to the elders of the tribes which still adhered to the house of Saul, he repaired to Hebron with authority to make certain overtures to David on their behalf ( 2 Samuel 3:12 sq.). He was received with great attention and respect; and David even thought it prudent to promise that he should still have the chief command of the armies when the desired union of the two kingdoms took place (De Pacto Davidis et Abneri, in the Crit. Sac. Thes. Nov. 1:651). The political expediency of this engagement is very clear, and to that expediency the interests and claims of Joab were sacrificed. That distinguished personage happened to be absent from Hebron on service at the time, but he returned just as Abner had left the city. He speedily understood what had passed; and his dread of the superior influence which such a man as Abner might establish with David (see Josephus, Ant. 7:1, 5) quickened his remembrance of the vengeance which his brother's blood required. His purpose was promptly formed. [[Unknown]] to the king, but apparently in his name, he sent a message after Abner to call him back; and as he returned, Joab met him at the gate, and, leading him aside as if to confer peaceably and privately with him, suddenly thrust his sword into his body. B.C. 1046. The lamentations of David, the public mourning which he ordered, and the funeral honors which were paid to the remains of Abner ( 2 Samuel 4:12), the king himself following the bier as chief mourner, exonerated him in public opinion from having been privy to this assassination ( 2 Samuel 3:31-39; comp. 1 Kings 2:5; 1 Kings 2:32). As for Joab, his privilege as a blood-avenger must to a great extent have justified his treacherous act in the opinion of the people; and that, together with his influence with the army, screened him from punishment. See JOAB. </p> <p> David's short but emphatic lament over Abner ( 2 Samuel 3:33-34) may be rendered, with strict adherence to the [[Form]] of the original (see Ewald, ''Dichter Des Alten Bundes,'' 1:99; comp. Lowth, ''Heb. Poetry,'' 22), as follows: </p> <p> '''As a villain dies, should Abner die?''' </p> <p> '''Thy hands not bound, And thy feet not brought into fetters; As one falls before the sons of malice, fellest thou!''' </p> <p> As to the sense of the words, J. D | <p> (Heb. Abner', '''''אִבְנֵר''''' '','' once in its full form ''Abiner', '''''אֲבַינֵר''''' ,'' 1 Samuel 14:50, father of light, i.e. enlightening; Sept. '''''Ἀβεννήρ''''' '','' [[Josephus]] '''''Ἀβήναρος''''' , Ant. 6:4, 3, elsewhere '''''Ἀβίνηρος''''' ''),'' the son of [[Ner]] (q.v.) and uncle of Saul (being the brother of his father Kish), and the commander-in- chief of his army ( 1 Samuel 14:50 sq.), in which character he appears several times during the early history of David ( 1 Samuel 17:55; 1 Samuel 20:25; 1 Samuel 26:5 sq.; 1 Chronicles 26:28). It was through his instrumentality that David was first introduced to Saul's court after the victory over [[Goliath]] ( 1 Samuel 17:57), B.C. 1063; and it was he whom David sarcastically addressed when accompanying his master in the pursuit of his life at Hachilah ( 1 Samuel 26:14), B.C. 1055. After the death of Saul (B.C. 1053), the experience which he had acquired, and the character for ability and decision which he had established in Israel, enabled him to uphold the falling house of Saul for seven years; and he might probably have done so longer if it had suited his views ( 2 Samuel 2:6; 2 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 5:5; comp. 6:1). It was generally known that David had been divinely nominated to succeed Saul on the throne: when, therefore, that monarch was slain in the battle of Gilboa, David was made king over his own tribe of Judah, and reigned in Hebron, the old capital. In the other tribes an influence adverse to Judah existed, and was controlled chiefly by the tribe of Ephraim. Abner, with great decision, availed himself of this state of feeling, and turned it to the advantage of the house to which he belonged: of which he was now the most important surviving member. He did not, however, venture to propose himself as king; but took Ishbosheth, a surviving son of Saul, whose known imbecility had excused his absence from the fatal fight in which his father and brothers perished, and made him king over the tribes, and ruled in his name ( 2 Samuel 2:8). This event appears to have occurred five years after Saul's death ( 2 Samuel 2:10; comp. 2 Samuel 2:11), an interim that was probably occupied in plans for settling the succession, to which Ishbosheth may have been at first disinclined. (See Ishbosheth). </p> <p> Nor, perhaps, had the [[Israelites]] sooner than this recovered sufficiently from the oppression by the [[Philistines]] that would be sure to follow the disaster upon Mount Gilboa to reassert their independence, at least throughout [[Palestine]] proper. Accordingly Ishbosheth reigned in Mahanaim, beyond Jordan, and David in Hebron. A sort of desultory warfare continued for two years between them, in which the advantage appears to have been always on the side of David ( 2 Samuel 2:1). The only one of the engagements of which we have a particular account is that which ensued when Joab, David's general, and Abner met and fought at Gibeon ( 2 Samuel 2:12 sq.), B.C. 1048. Abner was beaten, and fled for his life; but was pursued by Asahel (the brother of Joab and Abishai), who was "swift of foot as a wild roe." Abner, dreading a blood-feud with Joab, for whom he seems to have entertained a sincere respect, entreated Asahel to desist from the pursuit; but finding that he was still followed, and that his life was in danger, he at length ran his pursuer through the body by a back thrust with the pointed heel of his spear ( 2 Samuel 2:18-32). This put a strife of blood between the two foremost men in all Israel (after David); for the law of honor, which had from times before the law prevailed among the Hebrews, and which still prevails in Arabia, rendered it the conventional duty of Joab to avenge the blood of his brother upon the person by whom he had been slain. (See [[Blood-Revenge]]). </p> <p> As time went on Abner had occasion to feel more strongly that he was himself not only the chief, but the only remaining prop of the house of Saul; and this conviction, acting upon a proud and arrogant spirit, led him to more presumptuous conduct than even the mildness of the feeble Ishbosheth could suffer to pass without question. (See [[Absalom]]); (See Adonijah). He took to his own harem a woman named Rizpah, who had been a concubine-wife of Saul ( 2 Samuel 3:7 sq.). This act, from the ideas connected with the harem of a deceased king (comp. Josephus, Apion, 1:15; Herod. 3:68), was not only a great impropriety, but was open to the suspicion of a political design, which Abner may very possibly have entertained. (See [[Harem]]). </p> <p> A mild rebuke from the nominal king, however, enraged him greatly; and he plainly declared that he would henceforth abandon his cause and devote himself to the interests of David. To excuse this desertion to his own mind, he then and on other occasions avowed his knowledge that the son of [[Jesse]] had been appointed by the Lord to reign over all Israel; but he appears to have been unconscious that this avowal exposed his previous conduct to more censure than it offered excuse for his present. He, however, kept his word with Ishbosheth. After a tour, during which he explained his present views to the elders of the tribes which still adhered to the house of Saul, he repaired to Hebron with authority to make certain overtures to David on their behalf ( 2 Samuel 3:12 sq.). He was received with great attention and respect; and David even thought it prudent to promise that he should still have the chief command of the armies when the desired union of the two kingdoms took place (De Pacto Davidis et Abneri, in the Crit. Sac. Thes. Nov. 1:651). The political expediency of this engagement is very clear, and to that expediency the interests and claims of Joab were sacrificed. That distinguished personage happened to be absent from Hebron on service at the time, but he returned just as Abner had left the city. He speedily understood what had passed; and his dread of the superior influence which such a man as Abner might establish with David (see Josephus, Ant. 7:1, 5) quickened his remembrance of the vengeance which his brother's blood required. His purpose was promptly formed. [[Unknown]] to the king, but apparently in his name, he sent a message after Abner to call him back; and as he returned, Joab met him at the gate, and, leading him aside as if to confer peaceably and privately with him, suddenly thrust his sword into his body. B.C. 1046. The lamentations of David, the public mourning which he ordered, and the funeral honors which were paid to the remains of Abner ( 2 Samuel 4:12), the king himself following the bier as chief mourner, exonerated him in public opinion from having been privy to this assassination ( 2 Samuel 3:31-39; comp. 1 Kings 2:5; 1 Kings 2:32). As for Joab, his privilege as a blood-avenger must to a great extent have justified his treacherous act in the opinion of the people; and that, together with his influence with the army, screened him from punishment. See JOAB. </p> <p> David's short but emphatic lament over Abner ( 2 Samuel 3:33-34) may be rendered, with strict adherence to the [[Form]] of the original (see Ewald, ''Dichter Des Alten Bundes,'' 1:99; comp. Lowth, ''Heb. Poetry,'' 22), as follows: </p> <p> '''As a villain dies, should Abner die?''' </p> <p> '''Thy hands not bound, And thy feet not brought into fetters; As one falls before the sons of malice, fellest thou!''' </p> <p> As to the sense of the words, [[J. D]] Michaelis (Uebersetzung des alten Test.) saw that the point of this indignant, more than sorrowful, lament, lies in the mode in which Abner was slain. Joab professed to kill him "for the blood of Asahel, his brother" ( 2 Samuel 3:27). But if a man claimed his brother's blood at the hand of his murderer, the latter (even if he fled to the altar for refuge, Exodus 21:14) would have been delivered up (bound, hand and foot, it is ''Assumed)'' to the avenger of blood, who would then possess a legal right to slay him. Now Joab not only had no title to claim the right of the Goel, as Asahel was killed under justifying circumstances ( 2 Samuel 2:19); but, while pretending to exercise the avenger's right, he took a lawless and private mode of satisfaction, and committed a murder. Hence David charged him, in allusion to this conduct, with "shedding the blood of war in peace" ( 1 Kings 2:5); and hence he expresses himself in this lament, as if indignant that the noble Abner, instead of being surrendered with the formalities of the law to meet an authorized penalty, was treacherously stabbed like a worthless fellow by the hands of an assassin. (See [[Homicide]]). </p> <p> We find the name of a son of Abner, Jaasiel, subsequently appointed phylarch, under Solomon, of the trite of [[Benjamin]] ( 1 Chronicles 27:21). (On the character of Abner, see Kitto's ''Daily Bible Illust.'' in loc.; Niemeyer, ''Charakterist.'' 4:343 sq. On his death, see C. Simeon, ''Works,'' 3, 327; H. Lindsay, Lectures, 2:30; R. Harris, Works, p. 231.) (See [[David]]). </p> <p> [[Supplemental From Volume]] 11: </p> <p> "In the town [of Hebron] the tomb of Abner and Ishbosheth is shown within the court of a Turkish house, but "is not worth visiting" (Baideker, Palestine, p. 281) </p> | ||
== International Standard Bible Encyclopedia <ref name="term_376" /> == | == International Standard Bible Encyclopedia <ref name="term_376" /> == | ||
<p> '''''ab´nẽr''''' ( אבנר , <i> ''''''abhnēr''''' </i> ; in 1 Samuel 14:50 the [[Hebrew]] has the fuller form, אבינר , <i> ''''''ăbhı̄nēr''''' </i> , <i> [[Abiner]] </i> ; compare <i> [[Abiram]] </i> by the side of <i> [[Abram]] </i> ; meaning, "my father is a lamp"): Captain of the host under Saul and Ishbosheth (Eshbaal). He was Saul's cousin; Ner the father of Abner and [[Kish]] the father of Saul being brothers, the sons of [[Abiel]] ( 1 Samuel 14:50 ). In 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:39 the text appears to be faulty; read: And Ner begat Abner, and Kish begat Saul. According to 1 Chronicles 27:21 Abner had a son by the name of Jaasiel. </p> <p> Abner was to Saul what Joab was to David. Despite the many wars waged by Saul, we hear little of Abner during Saul's lifetime. Not even in the account' of the battle of Gilboa is mention made of him. Yet both his high office and his kinship to the king must have brought the two men in close contact. On festive occasions it was the custom of Abner to sit at table by the king's side ( 1 Samuel 20:25 ). It was Abner who introduced the young David fresh from his triumph over Goliath to the king's court (so according to the account in 1 Samuel 17:57 ). We find Abner accompanying the king in his pursuit of David ( 1 Samuel 26:5 ). Abner is rebuked by David for his negligence in keeping watch over his master (ibid., 15). </p> <p> Upon the death of Saul, Abner took up the cause of the young heir to the throne, Ishbosheth, whom he forthwith removed from the neighborhood of David to Mahanaim in the East-Jordanic country. There he proclaimed him king over all Israel. By the pool of Gibeon he and his men met Joab and the servants of David. Twelve men on each side engaged in combat which ended disastrously for Abner who fled. He was pursued by Asahel, Joab's brother, whom Abner slew. Though Joab and his brother Abishai sought to avenge their brother's death on the spot, a truce was effected; Abner was permitted to go his way after three hundred and threescore of his men had fallen. Joab naturally watched his opportunity. Abner and his master soon had a quarrel over Saul's concubine, Rizpah, with whom Abner was intimate. It was certainly an act of treason which Ishbosheth was bound to resent. The disgruntled general made overtures to David; he won over the tribe of Benjamin. With twenty men of them he came to Hebron and arranged with the king of Judah that he would bring over to his side all Israel. He was scarcely gone when Joab learned of the affair; without the knowledge of David he recalled him to Hebron where he slew him, "for the blood of Asahel his brother." David mourned sincerely the death of Abner. "Know ye not," he addressed his servants, "that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" He followed the bier in person. Of the royal lament over Abner a fragment is quoted: "Should Abner die as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: As a man falleth before the children of iniquity, so didst thou fall." </p> <p> (See 2 Sam 3:6-38.) The death of Abner, while it thus cannot in any wise be laid at the door of David, nevertheless served his purposes well. The backbone of the opposition to David was broken, and he was soon proclaimed as king by all Israel. </p> | <p> ''''' ab´nẽr ''''' ( אבנר , <i> ''''' 'abhnēr ''''' </i> ; in 1 Samuel 14:50 the [[Hebrew]] has the fuller form, אבינר , <i> ''''' 'ăbhı̄nēr ''''' </i> , <i> [[Abiner]] </i> ; compare <i> [[Abiram]] </i> by the side of <i> [[Abram]] </i> ; meaning, "my father is a lamp"): Captain of the host under Saul and Ishbosheth (Eshbaal). He was Saul's cousin; Ner the father of Abner and [[Kish]] the father of Saul being brothers, the sons of [[Abiel]] ( 1 Samuel 14:50 ). In 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:39 the text appears to be faulty; read: And Ner begat Abner, and Kish begat Saul. According to 1 Chronicles 27:21 Abner had a son by the name of Jaasiel. </p> <p> Abner was to Saul what Joab was to David. Despite the many wars waged by Saul, we hear little of Abner during Saul's lifetime. Not even in the account' of the battle of Gilboa is mention made of him. Yet both his high office and his kinship to the king must have brought the two men in close contact. On festive occasions it was the custom of Abner to sit at table by the king's side ( 1 Samuel 20:25 ). It was Abner who introduced the young David fresh from his triumph over Goliath to the king's court (so according to the account in 1 Samuel 17:57 ). We find Abner accompanying the king in his pursuit of David ( 1 Samuel 26:5 ). Abner is rebuked by David for his negligence in keeping watch over his master (ibid., 15). </p> <p> Upon the death of Saul, Abner took up the cause of the young heir to the throne, Ishbosheth, whom he forthwith removed from the neighborhood of David to Mahanaim in the East-Jordanic country. There he proclaimed him king over all Israel. By the pool of Gibeon he and his men met Joab and the servants of David. Twelve men on each side engaged in combat which ended disastrously for Abner who fled. He was pursued by Asahel, Joab's brother, whom Abner slew. Though Joab and his brother Abishai sought to avenge their brother's death on the spot, a truce was effected; Abner was permitted to go his way after three hundred and threescore of his men had fallen. Joab naturally watched his opportunity. Abner and his master soon had a quarrel over Saul's concubine, Rizpah, with whom Abner was intimate. It was certainly an act of treason which Ishbosheth was bound to resent. The disgruntled general made overtures to David; he won over the tribe of Benjamin. With twenty men of them he came to Hebron and arranged with the king of Judah that he would bring over to his side all Israel. He was scarcely gone when Joab learned of the affair; without the knowledge of David he recalled him to Hebron where he slew him, "for the blood of Asahel his brother." David mourned sincerely the death of Abner. "Know ye not," he addressed his servants, "that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" He followed the bier in person. Of the royal lament over Abner a fragment is quoted: "Should Abner die as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: As a man falleth before the children of iniquity, so didst thou fall." </p> <p> (See 2 Sam 3:6-38.) The death of Abner, while it thus cannot in any wise be laid at the door of David, nevertheless served his purposes well. The backbone of the opposition to David was broken, and he was soon proclaimed as king by all Israel. </p> | ||
== Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature <ref name="term_14943" /> == | == Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature <ref name="term_14943" /> == | ||
