17. The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David’s servants.
18. The three sons of Zeruiah were there—Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel, who was as fleet of foot as a gazelle in the open field,
19. set out after Abner, turning neither right nor left in his pursuit.
20. Abner turned around and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He replied, “Yes.”
21. Abner said to him, “Turn right or left; seize one of the young men and take what you can strip from him.” But Asahel would not stop pursuing him.
22. Once more Abner said to Asahel: “Stop pursuing me! Why must I strike you to the ground? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?”