War Breaks Out at Gibeon

12

And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Isboseth the son of Saul, went out from the camp to Gabaon.

13

And Joab the son of Sarvia, and the servants of David went out, and met them by the pool of Gabaon. And when they were come together, they sat down over against one another: the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side.

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And Abner said to Joab: Let the young men rise, and play before us. And Joab answered: Let them rise.

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Then there arose and went over twelve in number of Benjamin, of the part of Isboseth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

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And every one catching his fellow by the head, thrust his sword into the side of his adversary, and they fell down together: and the name of the place was called: The field of the valiant, in Gabaon.

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And there was a very fierce battle that day: and Abner was put to flight, with the men of Israel, by the servants of David.

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And there were the three sons of Sarvia there, Joab, and Abisai, and Asael: now Asael was a most swift runner, like one of the roes that abide in the woods.

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And Asael pursued after Abner, and turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.

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And Abner looked behind him, and said: Art thou Asael? And he answered: I am.

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And Abner said to him: Go to the right hand or to the left, and lay hold on one of the young men and take thee his spoils. But Asael would not leave off following him close.

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And again Abner said to Asael: Go off, and do not follow me, lest I be obliged to stab thee to the ground, and I shall not be able to hold up my face to Joab thy brother.

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But he refused to hearken to him, and would not turn aside: wherefore Abner struck him with his spear with a back stroke in the groin, and thrust him through, and he died upon the spot: and all that came to the place where Asael fell down and died stood still.

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