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 2:22KJV
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2 Samuel 2:22 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“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.

“Joab” Hebrew H3097 · used in 124 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 14:22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
  • 2 Samuel 24:4 Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.