Son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, killed by Abner
Asahel
Named in 14 verses across 2 books, first in 2 Samuel 2:18.
עֲשָׂהאֵלAsahel
The name means “creature of God.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Father
- Husband of Zeruiah
- Mother
- Zeruiah
- Children
- Zebadiah
- People
- Tribe of Judah
About Asahel Written by AI
Asahel was the youngest son of Zeruiah, David's sister, and the brother of Joab and Abishai. He was known for his speed and agility, being described as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle. During the battle between the forces of David and Ish-Bosheth at Gibeon, Asahel pursued Abner, the commander of Ish-Bosheth's army. Despite Abner's warnings to turn aside, Asahel refused, and Abner killed him with the butt of his spear. Joab and Abishai later avenged their brother's death by murdering Abner when he came to support David. Asahel was one of David's mighty men and was placed in charge of a division in David's army.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Asahel, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
Made by God, the youngest son of Zeruiah, David’s sister. He was celebrated for his swiftness of foot. When fighting against Ish-bosheth at Gibeon, in the army of his brother Joab, he was put to death by Abner, whom he pursued from the field of battle (2 Sam. 2:18, 19). He is mentioned among David’s thirty mighty men (2 Sam. 23:24; 1 Chr. 11:26). Others of the same name are mentioned (2 Chr. 17:8; 31:13; Ezra 10:15).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- 2 Samuel 2:18
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
- 2 Samuel 2:19
and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit.
- 2 Samuel 2:20
And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied.
- 2 Samuel 2:21
So 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.
- 2 Samuel 2:22
Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?”
- 2 Samuel 2:23
But Asahel refused to turn away. So Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.
- 2 Samuel 2:30
When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s servants were missing,
- 2 Samuel 2:32
And they took Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and reached Hebron at daybreak.
- 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 3:30
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)
- 2 Samuel 23:24
Now these were members of the Thirty: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
- 1 Chronicles 2:16
Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
- 1 Chronicles 11:26
Now these were the mighty men: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
- 1 Chronicles 27:7
The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.