11. In Hebron David was king over the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months.
12. Ner’s son Abner and the officers of Saul’s son Ishbosheth went from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13. Zeruiah’s son Joab and David’s officers also left ⌊Hebron⌋. Both groups met at the pool of Gibeon. They sat down there, one group on one side of the pool and the other group on the other side of the pool.
14. Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have the young men hold a contest.” Joab agreed.
15. The men got up and were counted as they passed by. Twelve were from the tribe of Benjamin (representing Saul’s son Ishbosheth), and twelve were from David’s officers.
16. Each one grabbed his opponent by the head, stuck his sword into his opponent’s side, and they fell down together. Therefore, that place in Gibeon is called the Field of Enemies.
17. Fierce fighting broke out that day, and David’s men defeated Abner and the men of Israel.
18. Zeruiah’s three sons were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as fast on his feet as a wild gazelle.
19. He chased Abner and refused to leave him alone.
20. When Abner looked back, he asked, “Are you Asahel?”“Yes,” Asahel answered.
21. Abner told him, “Leave me alone! Catch one of the young men, and take his weapon.” But Asahel refused to turn away from him.
22. So 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?”
23. But Asahel refused to turn away. So Abner struck him with the butt of the spear. The spear went into his belly and came out his back. He fell down there and died on the spot. And everyone who came to the place where Asahel fell and died stopped there.
24. But Joab and Abishai chased Abner. When the sun went down, they came to the hill of Ammah, opposite Giah on the road from Gibeon to the desert.
25. The men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner, banding together and taking their position on top of a hill.
26. Then Abner called to Joab, “Should this slaughter go on forever? Don’t you know this will end in bitterness? How long will it be before you will call off your troops from chasing their relatives?”
27. Joab answered, “I solemnly swear, as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would not have stopped chasing their relatives until morning.”