As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.” -1 Samuel 17: 55, NIV
As the Philistines laid forlorn on their giant's decapitated body, they ran for their lives. A rambunctious, already-drunk soldier wanted to curse at those chickens, but Abner stopped him and sent him home. He wanted no one to ruin such a glorious day for Israel.
Saul looked at the scene unfolding down the valley. For the first time in ages, Israel was finally happy. They felt hope. They felt fabulous. They felt the God of Hosts' hand fall upon their former captors. Finally, judgment was coming —and that meant, Saul knew, that he would be replaced.
After Abner closely approached and bowed down to his majesty, Saul asked: “Abner, who is this young man? And who is his father?”
Abner looked at David's face (he never even saw him in the royal barracks before!) and felt a warmth coming through him. He was so far, yet so close. A radiant light came through the Sun, and its rays passed through David's bag. There was something jovial, distinct, radiant that came through him. There was no name, there was no name.
“Honestly, Your Majesty”, Abner responded with hope, “I do not know.”