Ner נֵר
Father of Abner, King Saul's commander.
Who is Ner in the Bible?
Ner was an important figure in ancient Israel's early monarchy, best known as the father of Abner, the powerful commander of King Saul's army. He belonged to the tribe of Benjamin and was closely related to Saul himself, with both Saul and Abner sometimes referred to as sons of Ner (1 Samuel 14:50-51). Though the Bible provides few details about Ner's personal life, his significance lies primarily in his son Abner's prominent role as military commander during Saul's reign and the subsequent civil conflict between Saul's house and David (1 Samuel 26:5, 14; 2 Samuel 2:8; 2:12). Ner's family thus occupied a crucial position in Israel's transition from tribal leadership to monarchy, making him an important ancestor in the lineage of Saul's political and military authority.
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
"His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner."
- 1 Samuel 14:51
"Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel."
- 1 Samuel 26:5
"Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp, with the troops camped around him."
- 1 Samuel 26:14
"And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner replied."
2 Samuel 5 verses
- 2 Samuel 2:8
"Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,"
- 2 Samuel 2:12
"One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon."
- 2 Samuel 3:23
"When Joab and all his troops arrived, he was informed, “Abner son of Ner came to see the king, who sent him on his way in peace.”"
- 2 Samuel 3:25
"Surely you realize that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to track your movements and all that you are doing.”"
- 2 Samuel 3:28
"Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner."
1 Kings 2 verses
- 1 Kings 2:5
"Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the..."
- 1 Kings 2:32
"The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s..."
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 9:36
"Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,"
- 1 Chronicles 26:28
"Everything that had been dedicated by Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah, along with everything else that was dedicated, was under the care of Shelomith and his brothers."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | נֵר |
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