18 Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there , Joab and Abishai and Asahel ; and Asahel was as swift-footed e as one of the gazelles which is in the field . 19 Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left from following Abner . 20 Then Abner looked behind him and said , "Is that you, Asahel ?" And he answered , "It is I." 21 So Abner said to him, "Turn to your right or to your left , and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil ." But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him. 22 Abner repeated e again to Asahel , "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground ? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab ?" 23 However, he refused to turn aside ; therefore Abner struck him in the belly with the butt end of the spear , so that the spear came out at his back . And he fell there and died on the spot . And it came about that all who came to the place where e Asahel had fallen and died , stood still . 24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner , and when the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah , which is in front of Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:18-24
Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:18-24
(Read 2 Samuel 2:18-24)
Death often comes by ways we least suspect. We are often betrayed by the accomplishments we are proud of! Asahel's swiftness, which he presumed so much upon, did him no service, but hastened his end.