Abner

Deffinbaugh brings up some interesting background on Abner, commander of Israel while Saul is living and after his death:

*Abner's father was probably Ner, the brother of Kish (who was Saul's father). This would intensify the loyalty Abner had toward Saul.

*Abner was there when David slew Goliath. He didn't step up to the plate then.

*As David was a captain of a thousand in Saul's army of which Abner was the commander. Abner was surely familiar with David then too.

*The second time David could have taken Saul's life, he stole Saul's water jug and spear. After retreating, he taunted Abner and asked him why he wasn't defending Saul as he should be.

"As we put all of these elements together, we see that Abner is guilty for failing to protect his king, and thus worthy of death. His failure is divinely caused (by God putting all of them to sleep), thus making Saul vulnerable to Abishai, who wants to kill him but is prevented from doing so by David. David is shown to be a protector of Saul’s life, more effective than Abner. David then pronounces a curse on the one who may be turning Saul against him. Who comes out looking most guilty in all of this? Is it not Abner?" -Bob Deffinbaugh, A Study of 2 Samuel

Also this comment from BD on Abner and Asahel:

"He is not willing to do so, because he knows he will then have to face Joab, his older brother (not to mention Abishai). When Asahel refuses to give up his pursuit, Abner runs him through, not with the point of his spear but with the butt of his spear. This must take incredible strength and ability, and Abner is fully up to it, as he seems to know."

Joab and his older brother, Abishai, are not about to let the death of their brother pass without what they consider the only appropriate response -- killing Abner, who kill Asahel. If they kill Abner in the context of war, it will not be viewed as a murder but a necessary part of war (see 3:28-34; 1 Kings 2:30-33). The problem seems to be that while there is an initial victory for the men of Judah, the servants of David, Abner, and his men are able to reconnoiter, and in a position to be able to successfully defend themselves from atop a hill (2 Samuel 2:25). When Abner recommends that they call a cease fire, Joab agrees, stating that it is inevitable anyway (2:26-28).-BD

Here Deffinbaugh seems to conclude that Abner is influential in Saul's bad opinion of David. Saul was swayed by the opinions of man throughout his life. Examples: Saul goes ahead and offers sacrifice because Samuel is late and men are fleeing. Saul became jealous because the people credited David of slaying ten thousand, while Saul only had slain thousands.