And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
2 SAMUEL 2:22KJVWhat does 2 Samuel 2:22 mean?
2 Samuel 2:22 shows Abner warning Asahel to stop chasing him, asking why Asahel would force him to strike him down, and saying he would not be able to face Asahel’s brother Joab if that happened. Abner is appealing to Asahel to turn aside and avoid a deadly confrontation that would cause personal and relational pain.
In this verse, Abner (the commander of Saul’s army) is speaking directly to Asahel, who is pursuing him after a battle. Abner pleads with Asahel to stop following, warning that if he is forced to defend himself and kill Asahel, he will have to answer to Joab, Asahel’s brother and a fellow military leader. The verse highlights the tension and personal cost involved in this pursuit, showing Abner’s reluctance to harm Asahel.
The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 2:22
- "Smite" (נָכָה, nakah) means to strike or kill. Abner’s use of this word shows he is not just warning Asahel about a minor injury, but about the real possibility of death.
- "Face" (פָּנִים, panim) refers to one’s presence or ability to stand before someone. Abner’s concern about how he could "hold up [his] face" to Joab shows the shame or guilt he would feel if he killed Joab’s brother.
Why 2 Samuel 2:22 matters
- This verse clears up any idea that Abner wanted to kill Asahel; instead, he tries to avoid it and appeals to Asahel’s sense.
- The verse emphasizes the personal relationships and emotional consequences involved in the conflict, not just the military or political sides.
- It connects to the wider passage by setting up the tragic outcome of Asahel’s pursuit and the later cycle of vengeance between Joab and Abner.