TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
Complete Jewish Bible
'Asah'el chased Avner, going straight for him, veering neither right nor left.
Berean Standard Bible
and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit.
American Standard Version
And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
World English Bible Messianic
Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he didn’t turn to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Asahel followed after Abner, and in going he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from Abner.
Young's Literal Translation
And Asahel pursueth after Abner, and hath not turned aside to go to the right or to the left, from after Abner.
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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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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Second Samuel 2:19 precisely captures Asahel's relentless and singular pursuit of Abner, the commander of Saul's army, during the intense civil war between the house of David and the house of Saul. The verse vividly portrays Asahel's unwavering focus, indicating his absolute disregard for any other targets or distractions, thereby setting the stage for a tragic personal confrontation that would have profound and far-reaching consequences for the ongoing conflict and the subsequent narrative.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its meaning and foreshadow events. The most prominent is Idiom, specifically the well-known biblical expression "turned not to the right hand nor to the left." This idiom powerfully conveys Asahel's unwavering determination, single-mindedness, and refusal to deviate from his chosen path, here applied to his relentless pursuit of Abner. The use of this idiom effectively characterizes Asahel as a man of intense, almost reckless, focus. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Foreshadowing by highlighting Asahel's unyielding pursuit in such absolute terms. This intense, unyielding concentration subtly hints at the inevitable collision and tragic outcome that will follow, as Abner's subsequent warnings (in 2 Samuel 2:20-22) will go unheeded. Finally, there is a strong element of Characterization through action. Asahel's determination and singular focus are not merely stated but vividly demonstrated through his persistent refusal to deviate, painting a clear picture of his personality, his martial zeal, and ultimately, his fatal flaw.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Asahel's unwavering pursuit, while demonstrating a formidable determination, serves as a poignant cautionary tale within the broader biblical narrative, highlighting the inherent dangers of zeal untempered by wisdom, discernment, or a willingness to heed counsel. His single-mindedness, driven by a desire for personal glory and a decisive victory, ultimately leads to his demise, powerfully illustrating that even commendable traits like resolve can become destructive when not guided by prudence or an openness to external warnings. This narrative subtly challenges the simplistic notion that all forms of relentless pursuit are inherently virtuous, prompting profound reflection on the motives and potential consequences of our own unwavering objectives. It underscores the timeless biblical principle that pride often precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18), and that true wisdom involves not only knowing when to press on but also when to turn aside, when to yield, or when to prioritize life and peace over personal triumph, a principle echoed in warnings against destructive ambition (Proverbs 1:19).
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Asahel's story in 2 Samuel 2:19 offers a profound opportunity for self-reflection on the nature and direction of our own pursuits. His unwavering focus, though a testament to his resolve, ultimately becomes a fatal flaw because it is devoid of discernment, humility, and a willingness to consider alternatives. We are often rightly encouraged to be single-minded in our devotion to God or in the pursuit of righteous goals, to "not turn to the right hand or to the left" from the path of faithfulness. However, this verse prompts us to critically examine: What is the true object of our relentless pursuit? Is it personal glory, worldly ambition, or something genuinely aligned with divine wisdom and the flourishing of others? Are we so rigidly fixed on our objectives that we fail to perceive warnings, ignore wise counsel, or disregard the potential harm to ourselves or those around us? True wisdom often lies not in rigid adherence to a predetermined path, but in the spiritual flexibility to discern when to pivot, when to retreat, and when to prioritize life, peace, and reconciliation over personal triumph or perceived victory. This narrative challenges us to temper our zeal with humility, to actively seek and heed counsel, and to constantly evaluate our motivations, ensuring that our determination serves a higher, life-giving purpose rather than leading to unnecessary conflict, self-destruction, or unintended consequences.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Asahel so singularly focused on pursuing Abner?
Answer: Asahel's intense focus on Abner was likely driven by a potent combination of factors prevalent in ancient warfare and his own personal ambition. As a remarkably swift and skilled warrior, he would have sought immense personal glory and honor by defeating a prominent enemy commander. Killing Abner, who was the seasoned commander of Saul's forces and a key figure in the opposing army, would have been a significant blow to the house of Saul and a major achievement for Asahel and David's burgeoning army. It was a high-stakes pursuit aimed at securing a decisive victory and earning personal renown, reflecting the cultural values of individual heroism in battle.
What does the idiom "turned not to the right hand nor to the left" imply in this context?
Answer: This idiom signifies unwavering determination, absolute single-mindedness, and a resolute refusal to deviate from a chosen path. While often used positively in the Bible to describe faithful adherence to God's commands without straying (e.g., Deuteronomy 5:32 or Joshua 1:7), in this specific context, it carries a negative connotation. It highlights Asahel's tunnel vision and his stubborn, almost reckless, insistence on pursuing Abner to the exclusion of all other considerations. This includes ignoring other fleeing soldiers, potential tactical shifts, and, most crucially, Abner's subsequent warnings (2 Samuel 2:20-22), which ultimately leads directly to his tragic end.
What was the ultimate outcome of Asahel's pursuit of Abner?
Answer: Despite Abner's repeated and increasingly desperate warnings to turn aside and pursue someone else, Asahel stubbornly refused to relent, driven by his singular focus. Ultimately, Abner, acting in self-defense to save his own life, thrust the butt end of his spear through Asahel's belly, killing him instantly (2 Samuel 2:23). This act, though an act of self-preservation for Abner, became the catalyst for a deep and enduring personal vendetta by Asahel's powerful brother, Joab, which would later lead to Abner's treacherous assassination (2 Samuel 3:27) and further complicate the already bitter civil war between the houses of Saul and David.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Asahel's relentless pursuit, driven by human ambition for glory and culminating in his untimely death, stands in profound contrast to the divine, unwavering pursuit of God's redemptive will as perfectly embodied in Jesus Christ. While Asahel "turned not to the right hand nor to the left" in his chase for personal triumph, Jesus Christ demonstrated an ultimate, single-minded focus on fulfilling the Father's will, even unto the ignominy and agony of death on a cross. His determined journey to Jerusalem, where he would face crucifixion, is famously described as setting "his face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51), an unwavering resolve not for earthly conquest or personal acclaim, but for the redemptive sacrifice of humanity. Unlike Asahel's pursuit which led to a personal tragedy and further cycles of conflict, Christ's determined path to the cross was for the salvation of all who believe, demonstrating a perfect obedience that did not deviate for personal gain, fear of suffering, or the allure of worldly power. His "not turning aside" was a divine commitment to love, reconciliation, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom, culminating in victory over sin and death, offering eternal life instead of temporal glory (Philippians 2:8-9). Thus, Asahel's story serves as a stark shadow, highlighting the destructive potential of human ambition when untempered, while Christ's life reveals the life-giving power of divine purpose and self-sacrificial love that brings abundant life (John 10:10).