2 Samuel 2:23

Howbeit he refused to turne aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder ende of the speare smote him vnder the fift ribbe, that the speare came out behinde him, and hee fell downe there, and died in the same place: and it came to passe, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell downe and died, stood still. 2 Samuel 2:23 (KJV)

In 2 Samuel 2:23, we read: ‘And he gave him not thus; but with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out at his back; and he fell down there, and died. And there was no man that came near him to help him.’ This incident describes Asahel, brother of Joab and Abishai and one of David’s mighty men, being killed by Abner, commander of Saul’s army, during the battle between David’s forces and Ishbosheth’s forces. Asahel pursued Abner despite warnings to turn aside, demonstrating the dangers of unchecked persistence. The fatal strike resulted in immediate death, highlighting the consequences of impulsive actions. The scripture notes that no one came near to assist Asahel, underscoring the solemn reality of war and the fragility of human life. ‘Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.’ In this verse, we witness a tragic event where Asahel, one of David’s mighty men and the brother of Joab and Abishai, is killed by Abner, the commander of Saul’s army. This incident occurs during a battle between the armies of David and Ishbosheth, the son of Saul.