TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
Complete Jewish Bible
The three sons of Tz'ruyah were there, Yo'av, Avishai and 'Asah'el. 'Asah'el was as fleet-footed as a gazelle in an open field.
Berean Standard Bible
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
American Standard Version
And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
World English Bible Messianic
The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And there were three sonnes of Zeruiah there, Ioab, and Abishai, and Asahel. And Asahel was as light on foote as a wilde roe.
Young's Literal Translation
And there are there three sons of Zeruiah, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel, and Asahel is light on his feet, as one of the roes which are in the field,
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Commentary on 2 Samuel 2 verses 18–24
18 ¶ And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
22 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?
23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
We have here the contest between Abner and Asahel. Asahel, the brother of Joab and cousin-german to David, was one of the principal commanders of David's forces, and was famous for swiftness in running: he was as light of foot as a wild roe (Sa2 2:18); this he got the name of by swift pursuing, not swift flying. Yet, we may suppose, he was not comparable to Abner as a skilful experienced soldier; we must therefore observe,
I. How rash he was in aiming to make Abner his prisoner. He pursued after him, and no other, Sa2 2:19. Proud of his relation to David and Joab, his own swiftness, and the success of his party, no less a trophy of victory would now serve the young warrior than Abner himself, either slain or bound, which he thought would put an end to the war and effectually open David's way to the throne. This made him very eager in the pursuit, and careless of the opportunities he had of seizing others in his way, on his right hand and on his left; his eye was on Abner only. The design was brave, had he been par negotio - equal to its accomplishment: but let not the swift man glory in his swiftness, any more than the strong man in his strength; magnis excidit ausis - he perished in an attempt too vast for him.
II. How generous Abner was in giving him notice of the danger he exposed himself to, and advising him not to meddle to his own hurt, Ch2 25:19. 1. He bade him content himself with a less prey (Sa2 2:21): "Lay hold of one of the young men, plunder him and make him thy prisoner, meddle with thy match, but pretend not to one who is so much superior to thee." It is wisdom in all contests to compare our own strength with that of our adversaries, and to take heed of being partial to ourselves in making the comparison, lest we prove in the issue enemies to ourselves, Luk 14:31. 2. He begged of him not to put him upon the necessity of slaying him in his own defence, which he was very loth to do, but must do rather than be slain by him, Sa2 2:22. Abner, it seems, either loved Joab or feared him; for he was very loth to incur his displeasure, which he would certainly do if he slew Asahel. It is commendable for enemies to be thus respectful one to another. Abner's care how he should lift up his face to Joab gives cause to suspect that he really believed David would have the kingdom at last, according to the divine designation, and then, in opposing him, he acted against his conscience.
III. How fatal Asahel's rashness was to him. He refused to turn aside, thinking that Abner spoke so courteously because he feared him; but what came of it? Abner, as soon as he came up to him, gave him his death's wound with a back stroke (Sa2 2:23): He smote him with the hinder end of his spear, from which he feared no danger. This was a pass which Asahel was not acquainted with, nor had learned to stand upon his guard against; but Abner, perhaps, had formerly used it, and done execution with it; and here it did effectual execution. Asahel died immediately of the wound. See here, 1. How death often comes upon us by ways that we least suspect. Who would fear the hand of a flying enemy or the butt-end of a spear? yet from these Asahel receives his death's wound. 2. How we are often betrayed by the accomplishments we are proud of. Asahel's swiftness, which he presumed so much upon, did him no kindness, but forwarded his fate, and with it he ran upon his death, instead of running from it. Asahel's fall was not only Abner's security from him, but put a full stop to the conqueror's pursuit and gave Abner time to rally again; for all that came to the place stood still, only Joab and Abishai, instead of being disheartened, were exasperated by it, pursued Abner with so much the more fury (Sa2 2:24), and overtook him at last about sunset, when the approaching night would oblige them to retire.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 18–24. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
2 Samuel 2:18 introduces three pivotal figures in the nascent stages of David's reign: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, all sons of Zeruiah, David's sister. This verse specifically highlights Asahel's extraordinary speed, vividly comparing him to a wild roe, an attribute that sets him apart and foreshadows his significant, albeit ultimately tragic, role in the unfolding narrative of the civil war between the house of David and the house of Saul.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices. The most prominent is Simile, comparing Asahel's speed directly to that of a "wild roe." This vivid comparison immediately conjures an image of incredible swiftness and agility, making Asahel's defining characteristic tangible and memorable for the reader. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Foreshadowing. By specifically highlighting Asahel's extraordinary speed, the narrator subtly prepares the audience for his future actions and ultimate fate. This seemingly positive attribute will, ironically, lead directly to his demise in the subsequent narrative, creating a sense of tragic irony. The verse also functions as a powerful piece of Character Introduction, efficiently presenting three significant individuals and immediately distinguishing one of them with a singular, remarkable trait, thereby setting the stage for their roles in the unfolding drama of David's reign.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The introduction of Asahel with his remarkable speed serves as a powerful theological and thematic illustration of God-given gifts and the human responsibility in their stewardship. While Asahel's swiftness was an undeniable talent, the narrative quickly demonstrates that even extraordinary abilities, when coupled with a lack of wisdom, discernment, or humility, can lead to tragic consequences. His relentless pursuit of Abner, despite warnings, highlights the danger of allowing a strength to become a weakness through recklessness or overconfidence. This narrative thread invites reflection on how individuals are called to use their unique endowments, not for personal glory or impulsive ambition, but in alignment with divine wisdom and purpose, recognizing that true strength lies in God's guidance rather than mere human capability and that even the most impressive gifts require spiritual maturity for their proper application.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Asahel's story, introduced by his defining speed, offers a profound opportunity for personal reflection on the gifts and talents with which we have been endowed. We are all given unique strengths, whether intellectual, physical, spiritual, or relational. The question for us is not merely what our gifts are, but how we steward them. Are we using our strengths wisely, with humility and discernment, seeking to honor God and serve others? Or do we, like Asahel, allow our strengths to become liabilities through pride, impulsiveness, or a lack of self-control? The narrative challenges us to consider that true effectiveness and spiritual maturity are not measured by the magnitude of our gifts, but by the character with which we employ them. It calls us to cultivate wisdom alongside our abilities, ensuring that our talents are channeled for constructive, God-honoring purposes, rather than leading us down paths of destruction or self-serving ambition.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who were the sons of Zeruiah and what was their relationship to David?
Answer: The sons of Zeruiah were Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Zeruiah was David's sister, making these three men David's nephews. This familial relationship was crucial in ancient Israelite society, as it meant they were part of David's inner circle and naturally rose to prominent positions within his military and administration. Joab, in particular, became David's chief commander for many years, playing a significant, albeit sometimes controversial, role throughout David's reign, demonstrating unwavering loyalty but also a fierce independence.
How does Asahel's speed contribute to the narrative later on?
Answer: Asahel's extraordinary speed, highlighted in this verse, becomes central to his tragic fate just a few verses later. During the battle at the Pool of Gibeon between David's forces and Abner's, Asahel relentlessly pursued Abner, Saul's former commander. Despite Abner's repeated warnings to turn back, Asahel's swiftness and determination propelled him forward, driven by a desire for personal glory or a significant capture. This ultimately led to Abner, in self-defense, killing Asahel with a backward thrust of his spear, as detailed in 2 Samuel 2:23. Thus, Asahel's defining strength ironically became the direct cause of his death, setting in motion a blood feud that would have lasting and devastating repercussions for Joab and Abner, profoundly shaping the early years of David's reign.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Asahel's exceptional speed ultimately led to his tragic demise due to a lack of discernment and an unyielding, perhaps prideful, pursuit, the narrative subtly points us to the perfect example of Christ. Unlike Asahel, whose strength was a human gift that, when misused, led to a fatal flaw, Jesus Christ perfectly embodied and stewarded all His divine and human attributes. His "swiftness" was not merely physical, but spiritual and redemptive: He was swift to obey the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross, as described in Philippians 2:8. He was swift to come into the world to accomplish salvation, and swift to lay down His life for His sheep, declaring "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord," in John 10:18. Where Asahel's strength led to death, Christ's perceived "weakness" on the cross became the ultimate display of divine power, conquering sin and death and bringing eternal life, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:5. He is the true "Roe of God," beautiful in holiness, perfectly swift in His mission of redemption, and the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, as highlighted in Hebrews 12:2, demonstrating that true strength and perfect stewardship are found only in Him.