17. The fighting was very fierce that day, but Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.
18. Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel; and Asahel was as fast as a wild gazelle.
19. So Asahel pursued Abner, and as he went, he did not turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.
20. Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?”He answered, “It is I.”
21. Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right or left, overtake one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself,” but Asahel was not willing to desist.
22. Abner continued still to reason with Asahel, “Abandon your pursuit. Why should I strike you down? How then could I show my face to your brother Joab?”
23. But he refused to desist. So Abner struck him in the abdomen with the butt of his spear, so that the spear came out of his back. He fell there and died on the spot. When all of the others came to the place where Asahel fell and died, they halted.
24. But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. As the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is next to Giah on the way to the Wilderness of Gibeon.
25. The sons of Benjamin gathered to the rear of Abner into a single formation, and they took their stand atop one of the hills.
26. Abner called to Joab, “Must the sword consume forever? Do you not understand that a bitter taste will result in the end? How long will you refuse to command the people to withdraw from chasing their brothers?”