In at least an ecpual degree the Pharisees multiplied the ceremonial pollutions which required the ablution cf inanimate objects — "cups and pots, brazen vessels and tables" — the rules given in the law (Lev. vi, 28 ; xi, 32-36; xv, 23) being extended to these multiplied contaminations. Articles of earthenware which were of little value were to be broken, and those of metal and wood were to be scoured and rinsed with water. All these matters are fully described by Buxtorf, Lightfoot, Schottgen,Gill, and other writers of the same class, who present many striking illustrations of tb passages of Scripture which refer to them. The Mo- hammedan usages of ablution, which offer very clear analogies, are fully detailed in the third book < f the Mishkaf id-Masdbih (or " Collection of Musselman Tra- ditions" translated from the Arabic by A. N. Matthews, Calcutta, 1809, 2 vols. 4to), and also in D'Ohsson's
Tableau, liv. i, chap, i Kitto, s. v. See Babtism.
(II.) In the Roman Church ablution is a liturgical term, denoting the use of wine and water by the priest, after communion, to cleanse the chalice and his lin- gers. Two ablutions are made in the mass. 1. Wine alone is poured into the chalice, in order to disen- gage the particles, of either kind, which may be left adhering to the vessel, and is afterward drunk by the priest. 2. Wine and water are poured upon the priest's
finders into the chalice (see Boissonnet, Diet, des Rites, i, Go). See Mass.
(III.) In the Greek Church, ablution is a ceremony observed seven days after baptism, wherein the unc- tion of the chrism is washed off from those who have been baptized (King, Greek Church). See Chrism.
Lor the literature of the subject, in general, see T. Dassorius, Be lust rat ione Judmorum (Vitcb. 1692); A. Froelund, l)e yuooKuiiToooi'i^ia sacerdotvm Hebraso- rum (Hafn. IG',15); O. Sperling, lie baptism) ethnico- ruiii (Hafn. 1700); J. Behm, De lotione Judceorum et Christianorum (Kegiom. 1715) ; J. G. Leschner, Di Ins. trationibus rett. g< utilium /mrcidaneis (Viteb. 1709) ; J. Lomeier, lie rett. g< nti/iuni lustratimvbus (Ultraj. 1G81, 1701) ; II. Lubert, lie antiquo larandi ritu (Lubec, 1G70); J. J. Midler, De igne lustrico (Jen. 1GG0) ; T. Pfanner, De lotionibus Christianorum, in his Observ. Eccks. i, 364-421. See Water.
Abna'im (rather Ohxaim). See Stool. Ab'ner (Ileb. Abner' ', "02X, once in its full form Abint / ', "llpas, 1 Sam. xiv, 50, father of light, i. c. en- lightening; Sept. 'A/3f vi'i'ip, Josephus 'Aj3fivapog, Ant. vi, 4, 3, elsewhere ' Afiivijpoc), the son of Ner (q. v.) and uncle of Saul (being the brother of his father Kish), and the commander-in-chief of his arm}' (1 Sam. xiv, 50 sq.), in which character he appears several times during the early history of David (1 Sam. xvii, 55 ; xx, 25 ; xxvi, 5 sq. ; 1 Chron. xxvi, 28). It was through his instrumentality that David was first in- troduced to Saul's court after the victory over Goliath (1 Sam. xvii, 57), B.C. 10G3; and it was he whom David sarcastically addressed when accompanying his master in the pursuit of his life at Hachilah (1 Sam. xxvi, 14), B.C. 1055. After the death of Saul (B.C. 1053), the experience which he had acquired, and the character for ability and decision which he had estab- lished in Israel, enabled him to uphold the falling house of Saul for seven years ; and ha might probably have done so longer if it had suited his views (2 Sam. ii, 6, 10; v, 5; comp. vi, 1). It was generally known that David had been divinely nominated to succeed Saul on the throne : when, therefore, that monarch was slain in the battle of Gilboa, David was made king over his own tribe of Judah, and reigned in Hebron, the old capital. In the other tribes an influence adverse to Judah existed, and was controlled chief!}' by the tribe of Ephraim. Abner, with great decision, availed him- self of this state of feeling, and turned it to the ad- vantage of the house to which he belonged, of which he was now the most important surviving member. He did not, however, venture to propose himself as king; but took Ishbosheth, a surviving son of Saul, whoso known imbecility had excused his absence from the fatal fight in which his father and brothers perish- ed, and made him king over the tribes, and ruled in his name (2 Sam. ii, 8). This event appears to have occurred live years after Saul's death (2 Sam. ii, 10 ; comp. 11), an interim that was probably occupied in plans for settling the succession, to which Ishbosheth may have been at first disinclined. See ISHBOSHETH. Nor, perhaps, had the Israelites sooner than this re- covered sufficiently from the oppression by the Philis- tines that would be sure to follow the disaster upon Mount Gilboa to reassert their independence, at least throughout Palestine proper. Accordingly Ishbosheth reigned in Mahanaim, beyond Jordan, and David in Hebron. A sort of desultory warfare continued for two years between them, in which the advantage ap- pears to have been always on the side of David (2 Sam. ii, 1). The only one of the engagements of which we have a particular account is that which en- sued when Joab, David's general, ami Abner met and fought at Gibeon (2 Sam. ii, 12 sq.), B.C. 1048. Ab- ner was beaten, and tied for his life; but was pursued by Asahel (the brother of Joab and Abishai), who was "'swift of foot as a wild roe." Abner, dreading a