Ner נֵר
Father of Abner, King Saul's commander.
Biography
Ner was an important figure in the early history of Israel's monarchy, primarily known as the father of Abner, the commander of King Saul's army. He was a member of the tribe of Benjamin and a close relative of Saul, as evidenced by the fact that Saul and Abner are referred to as sons of Ner (1Sa.14.50-51).
Although little is known about Ner's life, his significance lies in his family's connection to the first king of Israel, Saul. As the father of Abner, Ner's lineage played a crucial role in the political and military leadership of Israel during Saul's reign.
Abner, as the commander of Saul's army, is mentioned several times in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the conflict between Saul and David (1Sa.26.5, 14). After Saul's death, Abner supported Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, as king over Israel, while David was anointed as king over Judah (2Sa.2.8-9).
The tension between Abner and David's forces is evident in the accounts of their military encounters (2Sa.2.12-17). However, Abner eventually defected to David's side after a falling out with Ish-bosheth (2Sa.3.6-21). Tragically, Abner was later killed by Joab, David's commander, in an act of revenge for the death of Joab's brother (2Sa.3.22-30).
David mourned Abner's death and publicly declared his innocence in the matter (2Sa.3.31-39). The incident with Abner is also mentioned in the context of Solomon's reign, as David instructed Solomon to deal with Joab for his role in Abner's murder (1Ki.2.5-6, 32-34).
Ner is also briefly mentioned in genealogical records, such as in 1Ch.9.36, where he is listed among the ancestors of Saul, and in 1Ch.26.28, which notes that some of the dedicated treasures in the temple were from the days of Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab.
Although Ner himself is not the primary focus of the biblical narrative, his family's connection to Saul and the early monarchy of Israel makes him a significant figure in the historical context of the Old Testament.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Kish Tribe of LeviSon of MahliA Levite from the Merari clanView full profile →
- Abdon Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel (or 'Jeiel') from GibeonView full profile →
- Zur Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel, a BenjamiteView full profile →
- Baal Tribe of ReubenSon of ReaiahA descendant of Reuben.View full profile →
- Nadab Tribe of JudahSon of ShammaiSon of Shammai, from the tribe of Judah.View full profile →
- Gedor Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel, the founder of Gibeon.View full profile →
- Ahio Tribe of BenjaminSon of AbielSon of Abiel (or 'Jeiel'), a BenjamiteView full profile →
- Zecher Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel, founder of GibeonView full profile →
- Mikloth Tribe of BenjaminSon of AbielA Benjamite, son of Eshek.View full profile →
In Scripture
4 biblical books1 Samuel 4 verses
- 1 Samuel 14:50
"The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle."
- 1 Samuel 14:51
"Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel."
- 1 Samuel 26:5
"Then David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army. Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped around him."
- 1 Samuel 26:14
"and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Don’t you answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who cries to the king?”"
2 Samuel 5 verses
- 2 Samuel 2:8
"Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;"
- 2 Samuel 2:12
"Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon."
- 2 Samuel 3:23
"When Joab and all the army who was with him had come, they told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.”"
- 2 Samuel 3:25
"You know Abner the son of Ner. He came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do.”"
- 2 Samuel 3:28
"Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner."
1 Kings 2 verses
- 1 Kings 2:5
"“Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his sash that..."
- 1 Kings 2:32
"Yahweh will return his blood on his own head, because he fell on two men more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword, and my father David didn’t know it: Abner the son of Ner, captain of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the army..."
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 9:36
"his firstborn son Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,"
- 1 Chronicles 26:28
"All that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth, and of his brothers."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | נֵר | H5369G |
Ner
hr.8.33">1Ch 8:33). Other references, though adding no further information are 2Sa 2:8,12; 3:23,25; 28; 37; 1Ki 2:5,32, etc.
ne'-rus, ne'-re-us (Nereus): The name of a Roman Christian to whom with his sister Paul sent greetings (Ro 16:15). Nereus and the others saluted with him (<ref osisRef="Bible:Rom.16