18 And there are there three sons of Zeruiah, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel, and Asahel 'is' light on his feet, as one of the roes which 'are' in the field, 19 And Asahel pursueth after Abner, and hath not turned aside to go to the right or to the left, from after Abner. 20 And Abner looketh behind him, and saith, 'Art thou he—Asahel?' and he saith, 'I 'am'.' 21 And Abner saith to him, 'Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and seize for thee one of the youths, and take to thee his armour;' and Asahel hath not been willing to turn aside from after him. 22 And Abner addeth again, saying unto Asahel, 'Turn thee aside from after me, why do I smite thee to the earth? and how do I lift up my face unto Joab thy brother?' 23 And he refuseth to turn aside, and Abner smiteth him with the hinder part of the spear unto the fifth 'rib', and the spear cometh out from behind him, and he falleth there, and dieth under it; and it cometh to pass, every one who hath come unto the place where Asahel hath fallen and dieth—they stand still. 24 And Joab and Abishai pursue after Abner, and the sun hath gone in, and they have come in unto the height of Ammah, which 'is' on the front of Giah, the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:18-24
Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:18-24
(Read 2 Samuel 2:18-24)
Death often comes by ways we least suspect. We are often betrayed by the accomplishments we are proud of! Asahel's swiftness, which he presumed so much upon, did him no service, but hastened his end.