And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle. And Asahel pursued Abner, and as he went, he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is it you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.” Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take his spoil.” But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. And Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?” But he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died where he was. And all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.
Comment: Then follows the plight of a single soldier, Asahel, a brother of Joab. David’s men were winning and Abner fleeing, Asahel, fleet of foot, chased Abner who it seems was the stronger better fighter. Abner warned Asahel to give up and, when he would not, Abner stood and waited for Asahel to catch up then killed him before continuing his flight. The rest of David’s men came upon Joab’s dead brother and came to a halt.
No doubt Joab and Abner were of equal standing and both champions among the soldiers or they would not have held the positions they did. Mentioned last of Joab’s brothers, I suspect that Asahel was less battle tried and less capable. When Abner recognized him and said ‘Is it you, Asahel…Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?”‘ I suspect that Abner was saying ‘For my old friend Joab’s sake stop. You know that I can and will kill you.’ I suspect that the young Asahel felt slighted and bravely raced on to his death.
Prayer: Please let me be wise and take good advice when given!
As I read it! 