And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

2 SAMUEL 2:21KJV
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2 Samuel 2:21 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 2:21 mean?

2 Samuel 2:21 describes Abner telling Asahel to stop chasing him and instead to go after one of the younger men to take his armor, but Asahel refuses and keeps pursuing Abner. The verse shows a moment of warning and choice during a tense pursuit in battle.

Abner, a military commander, is speaking to Asahel, who is chasing him after a battle between the forces of Saul and David. Abner tries to avoid killing Asahel by urging him to turn aside and fight someone else, even suggesting he could take the armor (a sign of victory) from another young man. Asahel, however, is determined and will not give up the chase, setting up the tragic outcome that follows.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 2:21

  • The word for "turn aside" (נָטָה, natah) means to turn or bend away from a path. Abner is urging Asahel to change direction, not just physically but also in his intent.
  • "Take" (לָקַח, laqach) means to seize or capture. Abner is offering Asahel a chance for honor without having to fight him directly.
  • "Armour" (חֲלִיצָה, chalitzah) refers to the armor or equipment stripped from a defeated enemy, which was often a prize in battle. This detail highlights Abner’s attempt to redirect Asahel’s ambition.

Why 2 Samuel 2:21 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Abner did not want to harm Asahel and tried to avoid a deadly confrontation, showing a sense of restraint and respect even in war.
  • It highlights Asahel’s determination and single-mindedness, which, while courageous, also leads to danger.
  • This moment sets up the tragic consequences that follow, deepening the conflict between the houses of Saul and David and showing how personal choices can have wider effects in the story.

Where else these words appear

“armour” Hebrew H2488 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 14:19 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

“Asahel” Hebrew H6214 · used in 17 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
  • 2 Samuel 2:30 And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:16 Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.

“would” Hebrew H14 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 24:5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
  • 1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,

“Abner” Hebrew H74 · used in 53 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
  • 2 Samuel 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
  • 2 Samuel 3:22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.