Abner

From the Year of the World 2949 to 2956, before J. C. 1044, before the vulgar Æra 1048.ABNER, Son of Ner, and General of Saul’s Armies, preserved the Crown to Ishbosheth, the Son of this Prince, and supported him at Mahanaim beyond Jordan for seven Years, against the Forces of David, who then reigned at Hebron, in the Tribe of Judah. There were some Skirmishes from time to time between the two Parties of David and Ishbosheth, wherein David always had the Advantage. The two Generals Joab and Abner, one whereof commanded the Troops of David, the other Ishbosheth’s, marching one day at the Foot 2 Sam. iii. 1. Ch. ii.of Gibeon with their Armies, Abner said to Joab, Let the young Men now arise and play before us: And Joab said, Let them arise. Immediately twelve Men of Benjamin appeared which pertained unto Ishbosheth, and twelve of the Servants of David; and they caught every one his Fellow by the Head, and thrust his Sword in his Fellow’s Side; so they fell down together. And there was a sore Battle that Day, and Abner was beaten before the Servants of David. The three Sons of Zeruiah, David’s Sister, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, were in the Battle. Now Asahel was extremely swift, and as light of Foot as a wild Roe¹. He therefore undertook to pursue Abner, without turning either to the right Hand or the left. Abner did all he could to make him fasten on some other Person ; but observing that he still continued to pursue him, he struck him with the hinder End of the Spear, and killed him on the Spot. Joab and Abishai notwithstanding persisted still to follow after Abner until Sunset. Then Abner’s whole Army being gather’d about him on an Eminence, he called to Joab and said, Shall your Sword be never satisfied with Blood and Slaughter? Don’t you know that it is dangerous to make an Enemy desperate? Joab replied, As the Lord liveth, if you had spoken sooner the People had long since retir’d. At the same time he sounded the Trumpet, and the whole Army withdrew from the Pursuit of Abner.

Some time after Abner quarrelled with Ishbosheth about a Concubine of Saul’s, with abusing of whom Ishbosheth accused 2 Sam. iii. 7, 8, & seq. about the Year of the World 2956, before J.C. 1044, before the vulgar Æra 1048.Abner. Abner was strangely provok’d with this Reproach; and answer’d, Am I one to be treated like a Dog, I who have declared against Judah, and supported the House of Saul your Father, while it was sinking; and after all do you now quarrel with me for a Woman? May God treat me with all the Severity that can be, if I do not procure that which he hath promised with an Oath to David, and make him to be acknowledged King throughout all Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba. Ishbosheth had not Resolution to make any Reply, because he fear’d Abner. Then Abner sent Messengers to David on his Behalf, saying, Whom does all this Country belong to but to you? If therefore you will admit me to your Friendship, I offer you my Service, and will make you Master of all Israel. To this David consented, and sent him word that he asked only one thing of him, which was, that he would bring Michal back with him, the Daughter of Saul, who had been his Wife, but was given to Phaltiel by her Father. Abner therefore sent her to him, and began to speak to the Elders of Israel in favour of David. When he had thus wrought upon them, he went to David, who was at Hebron, to acquaint him with their good Dispositions. David received him with abundance of Caresses, made a great Entertainment for him, and bad him go and endeavour to reduce all Israel as he had promised. He was scarce got out of Hebron, when Joab and his People return’d thither from an Expedition : they were told that Abner had been with David, and had made an Alliance with him. Joab thereupon immediately applied himself to the King, saying, What have you done? Why have you let Abner go? Do you not know what sort of a Man he is, and that he came only to deceive you, and to observe your Motions? At the same time he went out of the King’s Presence, and without his Knowledge sent after Abner, desiring him to return: Accordingly Abner being come to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the Gate as if he had a design of speaking to him privately, and stabb’d him in the Groin, to revenge by this means the Death of his Brother Asahel. David being informed of what had pass’d, shewed publickly his Concern at it, made a solemn Funeral for Abner, attended it himself in Person, composed a mournful Song in honour of him, and after this swore that he would eat nothing till the Evening. Thus Abner died in the Year of the World 2956, before Jesus Christ 1044, before the vulgar Æra 1048.

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