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the commander of the Israelite army and a cousin of Saul. I Sam. 14:50; 26:5.
a male given name.
Contemporary Examples

This has happened before, to Amadou Diallo, Abner Louima, Emmett Till—even during the New York City draft riots of 1863.
Not This Again: The Ghost of Past Injustices, From the Draft Riots to Trayvon Herb Boyd July 14, 2013

The cap stayed only because it referenced Civil War-era California state lawmaker Abner Weed, the namesake of the town.
Meet the Beer Bottle Dictator Tim Mak August 11, 2014

He returned when she took on the Abner Louima case, which was as momentous in 1999 as the Michael Brown case in Ferguson is now.
For Next AG, Obama Picks a Quiet Fighter With a Heavy Punch Michael Daly November 7, 2014

Historical Examples

Abner felt that to lay down his life at her feet would be the highest bliss a man might hope for.
Brother Against Brother John Roy Musick

And on the seventeenth of May the repairs on the “Cap’n Abner place” were completed.
Thankful’s Inheritance Joseph C. Lincoln

He and Abner sat one on each side of the fire and furtively watched Madelon preparing supper.
Madelon Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

You told me when I was here before what a lot you thought of my Uncle Abner.
Thankful’s Inheritance Joseph C. Lincoln

“He don’t mind me no more’n a woodchuck would,” said Abner—then his eyes fell on Quincy, who rose to greet him.
The Further Adventures of Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason’s Corner Folks Charles Felton Pidgin

Friendless I’ve lived since Abner went and friendless I’ll die.
Thankful’s Inheritance Joseph C. Lincoln

It was the final gram of evidence necessary to complete assurance of Abner’s guilt.
Scattergood Baines Clarence Budington Kelland

masc. proper name, name of Saul’s commander in the Old Testament, from Hebrew Abhner, literally “my father is light,” from abh “father” + ner “light.”

father of light; i.e., “enlightening”, the son of Ner and uncle of Saul. He was commander-in-chief of Saul’s army (1 Sam. 14:50; 17:55; 20:25). He first introduced David to the court of Saul after the victory over Goliath (1 Sam. 17:57). After the death of Saul, David was made king over Judah, and reigned in Hebron. Among the other tribes there was a feeling of hostility to Judah; and Abner, at the head of Ephraim, fostered this hostility in the interest of the house of Saul, whose son Ish-bosheth he caused to be proclaimed king (2 Sam. 2:8). A state of war existed between these two kings. A battle fatal to Abner, who was the leader of Ish-boseth’s army, was fought with David’s army under Joab at Gibeon (2 Sam. 2:12). Abner, escaping from the field, was overtaken by Asahel, who was “light of foot as a wild roe,” the brother of Joab and Abishai, whom he thrust through with a back stroke of his spear (2 Sam. 2: 18-32). Being rebuked by Ish-bosheth for the impropriety of taking to wife Rizpah, who had been a concubine of King Saul, he found an excuse for going over to the side of David, whom he now professed to regard as anointed by the Lord to reign over all Israel. David received him favourably, and promised that he would have command of the armies. At this time Joab was absent from Hebron, but on his return he found what had happened. Abner had just left the city; but Joab by a stratagem recalled him, and meeting him at the gate of the city on his return, thrust him through with his sword (2 Sam. 3:27, 31-39; 4:12. Comp. 1 Kings 2:5, 32). David lamented in pathetic words the death of Abner, “Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?” (2 Sam. 3:33-38.)