Death of Abner ben Ner in Hebron

Abner ben Ner was killed in Hebron by Yoav ben Zuriya: "And Abner sat in Hebron and Yoav leaned into the gate to speak with him at Shlee and there the five struck him and he died... And they buried Abner in Hebron... And son Shaul heard that Abner had died in Hebron and his hands loosened and all Israel was frightened ". (Shab 3-27, Lev- 4a).

"And Abner ben Ner, the minister of the army that Shaul had, took Ish Bosheth son of Shaul, and brought him from Ha'nai, and made him king."

Sages point out that Abner's sin was challenging the kingship of the house of David and delaying David from reigning over Israel, so he was killed.

Abner saw David as "beneath him" in a certain respect, therefore he stayed his reign and strengthened Saul and his son after him. This Abner finds his death at the hands of Yoav, minister of David's army. and when? When he came to offer David the kingship and turn the hearts of all Israel to him. (He is the ruler!) And why? Not because he recognizes David's kingship and acknowledges it, but because of his honor being hurt and because of his anger at Ish Shesh who he suspected of being his father's concubine.

And where do things take place? in Hebron.

Abner has already gone too far in his courtship of David. "And Abner sat in Hebron and Yoav turned inside the gate." At the gates of the city and precisely within it, the kingdom of the House of David is finally established. "And the son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, and his hands loosened, and all Israel was frightened."

When King David heard about Abner's death, he said: "May you know that a great minister fell this day in Israel" and about the funeral he said:

"And David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, tear your clothes and gird sackcloth and mourn before Abner. And King David followed the staff. And they buried Abner in Hebron, and the king raised his voice and wept to Abner's grave, and the people wept."

(Q. B. C., L. L. L. L. B.)

(מתוך "אתרי סגולה")