2 Samuel 2:18-23

New Century Version

Abner Kills Asahel

¹⁸ Zeruiah’s three sons, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, were there. Now Asahel was a fast runner, as fast as a deer in the field. ¹⁹ Asahel chased Abner, going straight toward him. ²⁰ Abner looked back and asked, “Is that you, Asahel?”

Asahel said, “Yes, it is.”

²¹ Then Abner said to Asahel, “Turn to your right or left and catch one of the young men and take his armor.” But Asahel refused to stop chasing him.

²² Abner again said to Asahel, “Stop chasing me! If you don’t stop, I’ll have to kill you! Then I won’t be able to face your brother Joab again!”

²³ But Asahel refused to stop chasing Abner. So using the back end of his spear, Abner stabbed Asahel in the stomach, and the spear came out of his back. Asahel died right there, and everyone stopped when they came to the place where Asahel’s body lay.