Abner

    Abner is a character in the Bible that you have a love hate feelings.  Not everyone can relate to him.  His name means "father of light".  He was the commander of Saul's army.  He was a fierce and witty warrior.

    Saul was a great king, but he was deeply flawed at the same time.  He struggled with pride, arrogance, and entitlement.  He came from humble roots, but his look and God's blessing enabled him to believe that what he had was because of how he earned it.  Abner was family and over his military.  Abner fed into Saul's ego which gave him a special place in Saul's history.

    Abner was the son of Ner (light).  He set things into motion for Saul.  He placed people into positions that would suit his and Saul's best interest.  Politics is a complicated game where you can never lose focus even for a day.  Abner was really good at politics.

    Abner's strategic maneuvering enabled Saul to make war against David.  Abner may have had the best interest of Saul in mind, but he helped Saul in his own destruction.  As the war continued for years, Abner's power became stronger.  That is until one of Saul's sons accused Abner of having an affair with a concubine (Rizpah) of Saul's.  

    Abner was furious that his character and loyalty was being questioned.  Basically he threw a fit because his pride was wounded.  When you are always on top, it can be hard to be knocked down.  In the end this one incident destroyed his loyalty to Saul and he joined forces with David.  

    David allowed Abner if, but only once he brought Michal (David's first wife and daughter of Saul) back to David.  She had been taken from him years earlier.  She had started a new life, so I don't see how this could be the benefit of anyone, but it does prove the power and influence that Abner had.  David could use that.

    Abner became a very good tool for David to become king over the nation with no more division.  Sometimes things don't play out nice and neat.  In politics it almost never does.  Abner knew where to give, bend, take, and give in politics.  In was invaluable for that aspect, but it does not mean that David ever fully trusted him.

    Abner was not trusted by David's closest advisors or military. In the end it cost him his life.  He wanted respect so badly that he betrayed someone he had been loyal.  Breaking loyalty for any reason will have people question if you will be loyal to them.  

    Abner was buried in Hebron where David ruled at the time.  It implies a burial of respect and honor.  The people mourned him because he was a likable guy.  He was uniquely gifted and people recognized that.  David mourned too, if not for the man then for how he died.  In the end Joab and his brother, Abishai, cursed themselves by murdering Abner.

1 Samuel 14:50 & 2 Samuel 2-3