God’s Word Translation
2 Samuel 2:20
20When Abner looked back, he asked, “Are you Asahel?” “Yes,” Asahel answered.
2 Samuel 2:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
- New International Version (NIV)Abner looked behind him and asked, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” he answered.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Then Abner looked behind him and said, "Is it you, Asahel?" And he answered, "It is I."
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Are you Asahel?” He answered, “I am.”
Context of 2 Samuel 2:20
18Zeruiah’s three sons were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as fast on his feet as a wild gazelle. 19He chased Abner and refused to leave him alone. When Abner looked back, he asked, “Are you Asahel?” “Yes,” Asahel answered. 21Abner told him, “Leave me alone! Catch one of the young men, and take his weapon.” But Asahel refused to turn away from him. 22So Abner spoke again to Asahel. “Stop following me,” he said. “Why should I kill you? How could I look your brother Joab in the face again?”
Read all of 2 Samuel 22 Samuel 2:20 word by word
וַיִּ֤פֶן אַבְנֵר֙ אַֽחֲרָ֔יו וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הַאַתָּ֥ה זֶ֖ה עֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אָנֹֽכִי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2:20
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-24Verses 18-24 Death often comes by ways we least suspect. We are often betrayed by the accomplishments we are proud of! Asahel's swiftness, which he presumed so much upon, did him no service, but hastened his end.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-22Turn to your right or to your left … Stop chasing me: Abner’s words show respect between men trained for the same kind of military work, along with a desire for fairness in battle. Asahel, who was still young, would not have been able to defeat the more experienced Abner. Abner also understood that killing Asahel would worsen the conflict with David, and David’s troops would try to take revenge (see 2 Samuel 3:22–39).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-3219-32. Asahel pursued after Abner--To gain the general's armor was deemed the grandest trophy. Asahel, ambitious of securing Abner's, had outstripped all other pursuers, and was fast gaining on the retreating commander. Abner, conscious of possessing more physical power, and unwilling that there should be "blood" between himself and Joab, Asahel's brother, twice urged him to desist. The impetuous young soldier being deaf to the generous remonstrance, the…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 2:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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