The honest compliments of an opponent are often the best measure of someone's greatness. Although Abner and David frequently saw each other across battle lines, the Bible gives a glimpse of the respect they had for each other. As a young man, David had served under Abner. But later, Saul's campaign to kill David was carried out by Abner. After Saul's death, Abner temporarily upheld the power of the king's family. But the struggle between Abner and Saul's heir, Ish-Bosheth, brought about Abner's decision to support David's claim to the throne. It was during his efforts to unite the kingdom that Abner was murdered by Joab.
   Several years earlier, in a battle between Ish-Bosheth's army under Abner and David's forces under Joab, Abner fled and was pursued by Joab's brother, Asahel. Abner told Asahel twice to stop following him. But the eager young soldier refused, so Abner killed him. Joab was determined to avenge his brother.
   Abner realized Saul's family was doomed to defeat and that David would be the next king, so he decided to change sides. He hoped that in exchange for his delivering Saul's kingdom, David would make him commander in chief of his army. David's willingness to accept this proposal was probably another reason for Joab's action.
   Abner lived by his wits and his will. To him, God was someone with whom he would cooperate if it suited his plans. Otherwise he did what seemed best for him at the time. We can identify with Abner's tendency to give God conditional cooperation. Obedience is easy when the instructions in God's Word fit in with our plans. But our allegiance to God is tested when his plans are contrary to ours. What action should you take today in obedience to God's Word?

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Abner's Strengths and Accomplishments
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* Commander in chief of Saul's army and a capable military leader
* Held Israel together for several years under the weak king Ish-Bosheth
* Recognized and accepted God's plan to make David king over all Israel and Judah

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Abner's Weaknesses and Mistakes
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* He had selfish motives in his effort to reunite Judah and Israel rather than godly conviction
* He slept with one of the royal concubines after Saul's death

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Lesson from Abner's Life
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* God requires more than conditional, halfhearted cooperation

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Vital Statistics
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* Where: Territory of Benjamin
* Occupation: Commander of the armies under Saul and Ish-Bosheth
* Relatives: Father: Ner.
                  Cousin: Saul.
                  Son: Jaasiel
* Contemporaries: David, Asahel, Joab, Abishai

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Key Verse
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"Then the king said to his men, 'Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day?'" (2nd Samuel 3:38).

Abner's story is told in 1st Samuel 14:50-2nd Samuel 4:12. He is also mentioned in 1st Kings 2:5, 32; 1st Chronicles 26:28; 27:16-22.