Saul's general who first supported Saul's son, but later offered loyalty to David and was murdered by Joab?

• A. Abner
• B. Jonathan
• C. Nathan
• D. Michal

Answer: (A)

Shifts in loyalty and leadership legitimacy follow Saul’s death. Saul’s general Abner initially backs Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, to keep the northern tribes under a king tied to Saul’s line. But as David’s strength grows, Abner moves decisively and defects to David, making a covenant with him. This realignment helps David gain wider support and paves the way for him to be king over all Israel.

Abner’s murder by Joab fits the description because Joab, David’s commander, acts out of personal vengeance for Asahel’s death and to block Abner’s consolidating power. David mourns Abner’s death and condemns the act, underscoring that Abner’s shift to David was a legitimate political move toward unifying the kingdom, not a betrayal by Abner. Jonathan, Nathan, and Michal do not fit this description—Jonathan is Saul’s son who remains a loyal ally of David but isn’t the general who switches sides or is killed by Joab, Nathan is a prophet, and Michal is Saul’s daughter.