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 .
25 The sons of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became one band , and they stood on the top of a certain hill . 26 Then Abner called to Joab and said , "Shall the sword devour forever ? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end ? How long e will you refrain from telling the people to turn back from following their brothers ?" 27 Joab said , "As God lives , if you had not spoken , surely then the people would have gone away in the morning , each from following his brother ." 28 So Joab blew the trumpet ; and all the people halted and pursued Israel no longer , nor did they continue to fight anymore . 29 Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night ; so they crossed the Jordan , walked all morning , and came to Mahanaim . 30 Then Joab returned from following Abner ; when he had gathered all the people together, nineteen e of David's servants besides Asahel were missing . 31 But the servants of David had struck down many of Benjamin and Abner's men , so that three hundred and sixty men died . 32 And they took up Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb which was in Bethlehem . Then Joab and his men went all night until the day dawned at Hebron .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:19-32
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.
Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:25-32
(Read 2 Samuel 2:25-32)
Abner appeals to Joab concerning the miserable consequences of a civil war. Those who make light of such unnatural contests, will find that they are bitterness to all concerned. How easy it is for men to use reason, when it makes for them, who would not use it, if it made against them! See how the issue of things alter men's minds! The same thing which looked pleasant in the morning, at night looked dismal. Those who are most forward to enter into contention, will repent before they have done with it, and had better leave it off before it be meddled with, as Solomon advises. This is true of every sin, oh that men would consider it in time, that it will be bitterness in the latter end! Asahel's funeral is here mentioned. Distinctions are made between the dust of some and that of others; but in the resurrection no difference will be made, but between the godly and ungodly, which will remain for ever.