Ner

Ner (meaning lamp) was the grandfather of King Saul and father of Abner, the commander of Saul's army (1 Sam. 14:50–51; 1 Chr. 8:33). He was a Benjaminite, son of Jehiel the founder of Gibeon. The genealogical relationship between Ner, Kish, and Saul is given in slightly different forms in 1 Samuel 14:51 and 1 Chronicles 8:33; the most natural reading makes Ner the uncle of Kish (Saul's father), thus making Ner the great-uncle of Saul and Abner Saul's first cousin. His name connects to the biblical motif of the lamp as God's provision and guidance.