Ner (Hastings' Dictionary)

The son of Abiel and father of Abner, and therefore the uncle of Saul (1S 14-5). According to 1 Ch 88=9%, Ner was the father of Kish, and therefore the grandfather of Saul: the same authority (9%) ives Jeiel (ὅπ, AV Jehiel) as the name of Ner’s father, but probably both statements are erroneous (ef. Bertheau on 1 Ch 83).

The statement of the Chronicler has misled some scholars into treating the words ‘Saul’s uncle’ (1S 1459) as referring to Abner; the more natural construction is to take them as a description of Ner. The view adopted above as to the relationship of Ner and Saul is confirmed by Josephus (Ant. VI. vi.

6, Nijpos δὲ καὶ Kets ὁ Σαούλου πατὴρ ἀδελφοὶ ἧσαν, υἱοὶ δ᾽ ᾿Αβελίου) In accordance with this testimony we must read ‘sons of’ (3) for ‘son of [Abiel]’ (13) in 1S 14", and render that verse, ‘And Kish the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner, were sons of Abiel’ ; so Driver, Klost., Budde. J. F. STENNING.