Abner is the first person in Scripture to formally call David king.1 He addressed him using words similar to the manner in which David had previously addressed Saul (2 Samuel 3:21; see 1 Samuel 24:8; 1 Samuel 26:17).2 By calling David king, we are meant to understand that Abner had shifted his loyalty to David and was now David’s servant.
21 And Abner said to David, “I will arise and go and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.