Take Abner, for example. The Talmud calls him a tzadik, a righteous man, a "lion in the law," a brilliant military leader and scholar. Yet, his story is riddled with choices that ultimately led to his violent death, a death that, some say, seemed almost…just.
Now, he did do some admirable things. The Sefer ha-Yashar tells us that Abner bravely refused Saul’s order to kill the priests of Nob (I Sam. 22, 17). That's a significant act of defiance against a king known for his erratic behavior. But here’s where things get complicated. Should he have done more?
According to Legends of the Jews, a passive resistance wasn't enough. A man of his stature, of his influence, should have actively intervened to prevent Saul's bloody plan (Ginzberg). Shouldn’t he have used his position to steer Saul away from such a horrific course?
And then there's the incident with David. Remember when David, in a powerful display of humility and respect, showed Saul the piece of his robe he’d cut off, proving he meant no harm? (I Sam. 24, 11). It was a chance for reconciliation, a moment of truth. But Abner, according to the biblical narrative as interpreted by rabbinic sources, allegedly undermined David's plea. He dismissed it, saying David simply found the torn piece of fabric on a thorn bush (Ginzberg, Legends of the Jews). Could this have been a pivotal moment where Abner's actions sealed a darker fate for both Saul and David?
Now, some might criticize Abner for supporting Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, against David for two and a half years (II Sam. 2, 10). But the tradition offers a fascinating justification. You see, an old legend says God promised two kings to the tribe of Benjamin (Ginzberg, Legends of the Jews). Saul was a Benjamite, and Abner, also from Benjamin, saw it as his duty to uphold this promise and to pass on the honor to Saul’s son, even knowing that God had ultimately chosen David. He was acting, in his mind, according to a higher calling, a divine promise to his tribe.
So, what do we make of Abner? Was he a hero, a villain, or something in between? He was complex, flawed, and driven by a sense of duty – even if that duty sometimes led him down a questionable path. His story reminds us that even those who strive for righteousness can make choices with far-reaching and unintended consequences. It's a reminder that our actions, even with the best intentions, can have a profound impact on the course of history. And it makes you wonder: what promises, what loyalties, are we upholding, and are they truly serving the greater good?