2 Samuel 2:22

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Abner {H74} said {H559} again {H3254} to Asahel {H6214}, Turn thee aside {H5493} from following {H310} me: wherefore should I smite {H5221} thee to the ground {H776}? how then should I hold up {H5375} my face {H6440} to Joab {H3097} thy brother {H251}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Avner said again to 'Asah'el, "Turn aside and stop following me! Why should I kill you? If I did, how could I look your brother Yo'av in the eye?"

Berean Standard Bible

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?”

American Standard Version

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Samuel 2:22, Abner, the seasoned commander of Ish-bosheth's forces, delivers a final, desperate warning to Asahel, a swift and relentless warrior from David's army. This pivotal moment occurs during the escalating civil war between the houses of Saul and David. Abner's plea reveals his profound reluctance to kill Asahel, not out of compassion for Asahel himself, but primarily due to the severe and culturally mandated repercussions he anticipates from Asahel's powerful brother, Joab, David's chief general. The verse encapsulates the high stakes of personal honor, familial loyalty, and the grim realities of ancient warfare, where individual actions could ignite wider, devastating conflicts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the immediate aftermath of a brutal and escalating conflict at the Pool of Gibeon. What began as a ritualistic challenge between twelve men from each side (2 Samuel 2:12-16) quickly devolved into a full-scale battle, resulting in a decisive rout of Abner's forces. Asahel, renowned for his exceptional speed, described in [2 Samuel 2:18](/2_samuel/2-18 "2 Samuel 2:18 - Asahel's Swiftness"), relentlessly pursues Abner, the enemy commander. Abner had already issued a prior warning to Asahel in [2 Samuel 2:21](/2_samuel/2-21 "2 Samuel 2:21 - Abner's First Warning to Asahel"), urging him to turn aside and pursue a less significant soldier for plunder. Asahel's singular, perhaps reckless, focus on Abner, likely driven by a desire for personal glory or a decisive victory, blinds him to the grave danger, setting the stage for Abner's final, desperate warning.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David (referenced in [2 Samuel 3:1](/2_samuel/3-1 "2 Samuel 3:1 - The Long War")) was a period of immense political and social instability in ancient Israel. A critical aspect of this society was the deeply ingrained concept of family honor and the institution of the "avenger of blood" (`go'el`). If a kinsman was unlawfully killed, it was the sacred duty of the nearest male relative to avenge that death, often by killing the perpetrator. This was not merely personal vendetta but a societal mechanism for justice and maintaining tribal equilibrium, though it often led to cycles of violence. Abner's concern about facing Joab directly reflects this cultural imperative; to kill Joab's brother would not only incur personal wrath but also trigger a legitimate, culturally sanctioned blood feud that Abner knew Joab, a powerful and ruthless general, would relentlessly pursue.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of 2 Samuel. It highlights the **Consequences of Actions**, illustrating how individual choices, particularly Asahel's relentless pursuit and Abner's forced response, have far-reaching and often tragic repercussions, extending beyond the immediate moment to ignite lasting animosities, as seen later in [2 Samuel 3:27](/2_samuel/3-27 "2 Samuel 3:27 - Joab Avenges Asahel's Death"). The theme of **Honor and Blood Feud** is central, with Abner's fear of not being able to "hold up his face" to Joab signifying a profound loss of honor and the inability to escape the consequences of triggering a blood vengeance. This contrasts sharply with the concept of cities of refuge (e.g., [Deuteronomy 19:1-13](/deuteronomy/19 "Deuteronomy 19 - Cities of Refuge")), which existed to mitigate such feuds in cases of unintentional killing, a nuance lost in the heat of battle. Furthermore, the narrative contrasts **Rashness vs. Prudence**, with Asahel's single-minded ambition leading to his demise, while Abner, despite being an enemy, attempts a pragmatic de-escalation to avoid a costly personal conflict.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hold up my face (Hebrew, _nasa panim'_):** This idiomatic expression, literally "lift up my face" or "bear my face," signifies the ability to stand before someone without shame, guilt, or fear of retribution. It implies having a clear conscience or being able to meet someone's gaze directly. In this context, Abner's rhetorical question, "how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?", conveys his deep apprehension about the inevitable shame, disgrace, and violent reprisal he would face from Joab if he were to kill Asahel. It underscores the profound relational and societal consequences of such an act within ancient Israelite culture, where honor and familial duty were paramount. Abner recognizes that killing Asahel would not be a mere military casualty but a personal affront to Joab, demanding a blood reckoning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me:"** This clause emphasizes Abner's repeated attempts to avert a fatal confrontation. The word "again" highlights his patience and his genuine desire to avoid killing Asahel, signaling a final, desperate plea before resorting to lethal force. It underscores Abner's awareness of the severe implications of killing Joab's brother.
* **"wherefore should I smite thee to the ground?"** This is a rhetorical question, expressing Abner's reluctance and the lack of a compelling reason for him to kill Asahel, beyond Asahel's own reckless pursuit. It implies that such an act would be unnecessary and would only serve to complicate matters for Abner, particularly given Asahel's familial connections.
* **"how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?"** This is the crux of Abner's concern. It's another rhetorical question that reveals Abner's primary motivation for avoiding the kill: fear of Joab's vengeance and the profound loss of honor and standing that would result from such a deed. It speaks to the deep-seated cultural expectation of blood revenge and the personal and social consequences of violating familial bonds, even in warfare.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, used twice by Abner ("wherefore should I smite thee to the ground?" and "how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?"). These questions are not posed for an answer but to emphasize Abner's reluctance and the dire consequences of Asahel's persistence. The phrase "hold up my face" is a vivid **Idiom**, conveying profound shame and the inability to confront someone after a dishonorable act, highlighting the cultural significance of honor. The entire interaction serves as **Foreshadowing**, as Asahel's death at Abner's hand inevitably leads to Joab's later vengeful murder of Abner in [2 Samuel 3:27](/2_samuel/3-27 "2 Samuel 3:27 - Joab Avenges Abner"). There is also a subtle **Irony** in Abner, the enemy commander, being the one attempting to de-escalate the conflict and show prudence, while Asahel, the "hero," is driven by a rash ambition that leads to his own demise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the pervasive nature of sin and its far-reaching consequences, even in the context of seemingly legitimate conflict. Abner's fear of Joab's vengeance highlights the destructive cycle of violence and retribution that often characterizes fallen humanity, where an eye for an eye perpetuates rather than resolves conflict. It underscores the importance of wisdom and foresight in decision-making, contrasting Asahel's rash ambition with Abner's pragmatic attempt to avoid an unnecessary escalation of personal animosity. The cultural imperative of blood vengeance, while rooted in a desire for justice, also reveals the limitations of human systems in achieving true reconciliation and breaking cycles of hatred. The narrative implicitly points to the need for a higher form of justice and a different kind of resolution, one that transcends the endless demands of retribution and offers true peace.

* [Deuteronomy 19:6](/deuteronomy/19-6 "Deuteronomy 19:6 - The Avenger of Blood")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before Destruction")
* [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - Abel's Blood Cries Out")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic encounter between Abner and Asahel serves as a potent reminder of several enduring spiritual and practical principles. Asahel's refusal to heed Abner's repeated warnings, driven by what appears to be a singular focus on personal glory or a significant victory, led directly to his downfall. This underscores the critical importance of discerning and heeding warnings in our own lives, whether they come through the counsel of others, the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit, or the clear principles of God's Word. Ignoring prudent advice or divine guidance, especially when fueled by ambition or a lack of foresight, can lead to dire and irreversible consequences. Furthermore, Abner's concern about "holding up his face" to Joab compels us to consider the long-term repercussions of our actions, particularly on our relationships and our standing within our communities. Our choices, even those made in the heat of the moment, have ripple effects that can shape our future and our interactions with others for years to come. This narrative challenges us to cultivate prudence over rashness, to seek wisdom in our pursuits, and to prioritize reconciliation and peace over personal gain or fleeting glory, recognizing that true honor comes from living in alignment with God's will and fostering healthy relationships.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be ignoring warnings, whether from others, circumstances, or your own conscience?**
* **How often do you consider the long-term relational and spiritual repercussions of your immediate decisions?**
* **What ambitions or desires might be leading you to act rashly, without fully considering the potential for harm or unintended consequences?**

### FAQ
**Why was Abner so reluctant to kill Asahel, even though they were enemies in battle?**

Answer: Abner's reluctance stemmed primarily from the deep cultural significance of family honor and the institution of the "avenger of blood" (`go'el`) in ancient Israel. Asahel was the brother of Joab, David's powerful and ruthless chief general. Abner knew that killing Asahel, even in battle, would trigger a blood feud that Joab would be obligated and determined to pursue. Abner's question, "how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?" (2 Samuel 2:22), reveals his fear of the inevitable shame, disgrace, and violent retribution he would face from Joab, making the act far more complicated than a simple military casualty. He sought to avoid a personal vendetta that would have severe and lasting consequences for himself and the ongoing conflict, as it indeed did, leading to his own death at Joab's hand in [2 Samuel 3:27](/2_samuel/3-27 "2 Samuel 3:27 - Joab Avenges Abner").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The grim reality of 2 Samuel 2:22, where the cycle of violence and blood vengeance is tragically perpetuated, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for a different kind of justice and reconciliation found only in Christ. Abner's fear of the avenger of blood highlights humanity's inescapable debt for sin, where the "wages of sin is death" ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Just as Joab was bound by cultural law to avenge his brother's blood, so too is divine justice bound to address the shedding of innocent blood and the pervasive sin of humanity. However, Christ does not come as an avenger in the human sense, perpetuating a cycle of retribution. Instead, He comes as the ultimate [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who takes away the sin of the world by offering His own perfect, atoning blood. He becomes the one who "redeems us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us")). Through His sacrifice, the demands of justice are met, not by perpetuating violence, but by absorbing it. He breaks the endless cycle of "an eye for an eye" ([Matthew 5:38-39](/matthew/5-38 "Matthew 5:38 - Turn the Other Cheek")) by offering forgiveness and reconciliation, enabling us to "hold up our face" before God, not through our own merit or the absence of retribution, but through the cleansing power of His blood ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood")). Christ's work on the cross ultimately reconciles all things to God, making peace through the blood of His cross ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 3:27

And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth [rib], that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

Ecclesiastes 6:10

That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it [is] man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

Proverbs 29:1

¶ He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

2 Kings 14:10

Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory [of this], and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to [thy] hurt, that thou shouldest fall, [even] thou, and Judah with thee?

2 Kings 14:12

And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.