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?
Abner spoke to Asahel again, saying, 'Stop chasing me! Why should I have to kill you? How could I face your brother Joab after that?'
Abner is desperately trying to warn the young warrior Asahel to stop pursuing him, knowing he doesn't want to kill him and face the consequences with Asahel's powerful brother.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 2 Samuel, this verse occurs during a civil war following King Saul's death, where Abner, the commander of Saul's forces, was supporting Ish-Bosheth as king against David. Asahel, a swift warrior and brother to Joab (David's commander), was relentlessly pursuing Abner in battle, leading to this tense exchange. Abner's warning reflects the cultural norms of ancient Israelite warfare, where killing a relative or close associate could bring personal shame and ongoing family feuds.
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