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2 Samuel 2:22

AbnerAsahelJoab

20 And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied.

21 So Abner told him, “Turn to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.

Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?”

23 But Asahel refused to turn away; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.

24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. By sunset, they had gone as far as the hill of Ammah opposite Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?”
KJV
And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
WEB
Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn away from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I look Joab your brother in the face?”
ASV
And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
DARBY
And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: why should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
BLB
And Abner added again in saying to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? And how could I lift up my face unto Joab your brother?”
ÅB
Da sa Abner igjen til Asael: La være å forfølge meg! Vil du kanskje jeg skal slå deg til jorden? Hvordan skulle jeg da kunne se din bror Joab i øynene?
OTB
Så gjentok Abner igjen til Asael, "Vik av fra å følge meg. Hvorfor skulle jeg slå deg til jorden? Hvordan kunne jeg da vise mitt ansikt til din bror Joab?"
B1930
Da sa Abner atter til Asael: La være å forfølge mig! Vil du kanskje jeg skal slå dig til jorden? Hvorledes skulde jeg da kunne se din bror Joab i øinene?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 3:27

    When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

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  • 2 Kings 14:10–12

    You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Glory in that and stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?”

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 29:1

    A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.

    Read in context

  • Ecclesiastes 6:10

    Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.

    Read in context