Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
But he refused to turn away. So Abner struck him in the stomach with the back end of his spear, and the spear went all the way through him. Asahel fell down and died right there. Everyone who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died stopped and stood still.
This verse describes the tragic death of Asahel, who was killed by Abner during a pursuit because he wouldn't stop chasing him despite warnings.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is set during the civil war in Israel following King Saul's death, when David had been anointed as king over Judah while Abner supported Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, as king over the rest of Israel. Asahel, a swift warrior and one of David's nephews, was pursuing Abner in battle but refused to heed warnings to stop. This event underscores the intense rivalries and bloodshed that marked the transition of power in ancient Israel.
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