2 Samuel 2:20
New International Version
Abner looked behind him and asked, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” he answered.

New Living Translation
When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, “Is that you, Asahel?” “Yes, it is,” he replied.

English Standard Version
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is it you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.”

Berean Standard Bible
And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied.

King James Bible
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.

New King James Version
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Are you Asahel?” He answered, “I am.

New American Standard Bible
Then Abner looked behind himself and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he said, “It is I!”

NASB 1995
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.”

NASB 1977
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Abner turned to look behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.”

Amplified Bible
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He answered, “It is I.”

Christian Standard Bible
Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel? ” “Yes it is,” Asahel replied.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?"” Yes it is,” Asahel replied.

American Standard Version
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Is it thou, Asahel? And he answered, It is I.

Contemporary English Version
When Abner turned and saw him, he said, "Is that you, Asahel?" Asahel answered, "Yes it is."

English Revised Version
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Is it thou, Asahel? And he answered, It is I.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Abner looked back, he asked, "Are you Asahel?" "Yes," Asahel answered.

Good News Translation
Abner looked back and said, "Is that you, Asahel?" "Yes," he answered.

International Standard Version
When Abner looked behind him, he said, "Is that you, Asahel?" He answered, "I am."

Majority Standard Bible
And Abner glanced back and said, ?Is that you, Asahel?? ?It is,? Asahel replied.

NET Bible
Then Abner turned and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?" He replied, "Yes it is!"

New Heart English Bible
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, "Is it you, Asahel?" He answered, "It is I."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.

World English Bible
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He answered, “It is.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abner looks behind him and says, “Are you he—Asahel?” And he says, “I [am].”

Young's Literal Translation
And Abner looketh behind him, and saith, 'Art thou he -- Asahel?' and he saith, 'I am.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abner will look behind him and say, This thou Asahel? And he will say, I.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abner looked behind him, and said: Art thou Asael? And he answered: I am.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, Abner looked behind his back, and he said, “Are you not Asahel?” And he responded, “I am.”

New American Bible
Abner turned around and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He replied, “Yes.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Abner looked back and said, “Is it you, Asahel?” He answered, “Yes, it is.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Abner looked behind him and said, Is that you, Ashael? And he answered, It is I.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abnir turned behind him and said: “You are this Shayel”, and he said: “I am”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Abner looked behind him, and said: 'Is it thou, Asahel?' And he answered: 'It is I.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abenner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asael himself? and he said, I am.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
War Between the Houses of David and Saul
19and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit. 20And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied. 21So Abner told him, “Turn to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 26:17
Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.

1 Samuel 17:55-58
As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” / “Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king. / So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. ...

1 Samuel 20:3
But David again vowed, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or he will be grieved.’ As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”

1 Samuel 24:16
When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud

1 Samuel 26:14-15
And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner replied. / So David said to Abner, “You are a man, aren’t you? And who in Israel is your equal? Why then did you not protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him?

1 Kings 2:5
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.

1 Chronicles 2:16
Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.

1 Chronicles 12:2
they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin):

1 Chronicles 27:24
Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David.

2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

2 Samuel 19:6
You love those who hate you and hate those who love you! For you have made it clear today that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would have pleased you!

2 Samuel 23:18-19
Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. / Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

2 Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.

2 Samuel 3:30
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

2 Samuel 20:8-10
And while they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa joined them. Now Joab was dressed in military attire, with a dagger strapped to his belt. And as he stepped forward, he slipped the dagger from its sheath. / “Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Are you Asahel? And he answered, I am.

Jump to Previous
Abner Am' Asahel As'ahel
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Abner Am' Asahel As'ahel
2 Samuel 2
1. David, by God's direction, with his company goes up to Hebron
4. where he is made king of Judah
5. He commends them of Jabesh Gilead for their king of Israel
8. Abner makes Ishbosheth king of Israel
12. A mortal skirmish between twelve of Abner's and twelve of Joab's men.
18. Asahel is slain
25. At Abner's motion, Joab sounds a retreat
32. Asahel's burial














And Abner glanced back and said,
Abner, the son of Ner, was the commander of Saul's army and a significant military leader in Israel. His glance back indicates a moment of recognition and perhaps hesitation. This scene occurs during a pursuit after the battle at Gibeon, highlighting the tension between the house of Saul and the house of David. Abner's role as a seasoned warrior contrasts with the youthful zeal of Asahel, setting the stage for the ensuing conflict. The act of glancing back can symbolize a moment of reflection or realization, often seen in biblical narratives where characters face pivotal decisions.

“Is that you, Asahel?”
Asahel was one of the three sons of Zeruiah, David's sister, making him David's nephew and a member of David's inner circle. Known for his swiftness, Asahel's pursuit of Abner is both a personal and political act, as he seeks to assert David's claim over Saul's remaining forces. The question posed by Abner suggests familiarity and perhaps a reluctance to engage in combat with someone he knows. This moment underscores the personal nature of the conflict, where familial and tribal loyalties intersect with political ambitions.

“It is,” Asahel replied.
Asahel's response is straightforward, indicating his determination and courage. His acknowledgment of identity in the face of danger reflects the biblical theme of standing firm in one's convictions. Asahel's pursuit of Abner, despite the risks, can be seen as a type of Christ's determination to fulfill His mission, undeterred by the challenges ahead. This encounter foreshadows the tragic outcome, as Asahel's persistence leads to his death, illustrating the cost of loyalty and the complexities of leadership and succession in the biblical narrative.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abner
The commander of Saul's army and a significant military leader in Israel. He is a central figure in the conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David.

2. Asahel
The brother of Joab and a swift runner, known for his speed and determination. He is one of the sons of Zeruiah, David's sister, making him David's nephew.

3. The Battle
This event takes place during a battle between the forces of Ish-bosheth, son of Saul, led by Abner, and the forces of David, led by Joab. It is part of the larger conflict over the kingship of Israel.
Teaching Points
The Cost of Ambition
Asahel's pursuit of Abner, despite the risks, highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition. Believers are reminded to weigh their desires against God's will and the potential consequences.

Recognizing Authority
Abner's position as a leader underlines the importance of respecting authority, even in times of conflict. Christians are called to honor those in leadership while maintaining integrity.

The Importance of Discernment
Asahel's encounter with Abner teaches the need for discernment in our pursuits. We must seek God's wisdom to know when to advance and when to retreat.

Family and Loyalty
The familial connections in this account remind us of the complexities of loyalty and the potential for conflict within families. Believers are encouraged to seek peace and unity within their families.

The Role of Providence
This passage is a reminder of God's sovereignty in the midst of human conflict. Trusting in God's plan, even when circumstances are challenging, is crucial for believers.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Abner
אַבְנֵר֙ (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

glanced
וַיִּ֤פֶן (way·yi·p̄en)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

back
אַֽחֲרָ֔יו (’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

and said,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Is that
זֶ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

you,
הַאַתָּ֥ה (ha·’at·tāh)
Article | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

Asahel?”
עֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל (‘ă·śā·h·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6214: Asahel -- 'God has made', four Israelites

“It is,”
אָנֹֽכִי׃ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

Asahel replied.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT History: 2 Samuel 2:20 Then Abner looked behind him and said (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 2:19
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