2 Samuel 2:18-3:5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18-24

We have here the contest between Abner and Asahel. Asahel, the brother of Joab and cousin-german to David, was one of the principal commanders of David's forces, and was famous for swiftness in running: he was as light of foot as a wild roe (2 Sam. 2:18); this he got the name of by swift pursuing, not swift flying. Yet, we may suppose, he was not comparable to Abner as a skilful experienced soldier; we must therefore observe, I. How rash he was in aiming to make Abner his prisoner. He pursued... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18

And there were three sons of Zeruiah there ,.... In the battle: Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel ; Joab was the general of the array, Abishai was he who went into Saul's host at night, and took away his spear and cruse of water at his head, 1 Samuel 26:6 ; and it is for the sake of the third, Asahel, that the account is given, the story of his death being about to be told. And Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe : swiftness of foot, as well as courage, for which this man was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:18

Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe - To be swift of foot was deemed a great accomplishment in the heroes of antiquity; ποδας ωκυς Αχιλλευς , the swift-footed Achilles, is an epithet which Homer gives to that hero no less than thirty times in the course of the Ilias. It has a qualification also among the Roman soldiers; they were taught both to run swiftly, and to swim well. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18-23

( GIBEON .) The untimely fate of Asohel: to young men. Asahel was the youngest of three brothers; the others being Joab and Abishai. They were the sons of Zeruiah (half-sister of David) and a Bethlehemite ( 2 Samuel 2:32 ) whose name has not been recorded; and they had much in common. When Asahel fled to David at the cave of Adullam (some ten or twelve years before the events here mentioned) he was probably a mere lad; he shared his uncle's hardships and participated in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:18-32

The facts are: 1 . Asahel, a younger brother of Joab, taking part in the pursuit, fixes his eye on Abner, and keeps on his track, and, being swift of foot, soon overtakes him. 2 . Abner, conscious of superiority in arms, and remembering the high family connections of the rash youth, chivalrously urges Asahel to try his prowess on some one else. 3 . The counsel being proudly disdained, Asahel falls under the spear of Abner. 4 . At the close of the day the scattered men of Israel... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 2:18-19

2 Samuel 2:18-19. Three sons of Zeruiah She was David’s sister, and therefore these were his nephews. Asahel was light of foot as a wild roe He was a gallant man, and one of David’s twelve captains, remarkably valiant, but more remarkably swift. Asahel pursued after Abner Being desirous of the glory, either of taking or killing the greatest man in Israel. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 2:1-32

Two kings in Israel (2:1-3:1)The Philistines now controlled much of Israel’s territory west of Jordan (see 1 Samuel 31:7). Believing that David was still friendly to them, the Philistines allowed him to become king over Judah in the south, no doubt thinking that this would help to divide and weaken Israel further. The tribes east of Jordan, however, were still free, and David quickly tried to win their support (2:1-7). But Abner (Saul’s army commander and his cousin; see 1 Samuel 14:50) had... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 2:18

as a wild roe = as one of the gazelles which are in the field. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 2:18

ABNER KILLED ASAHEL; THE BROTHER OF JOAB"And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle; and Asahei pursued Abner, and as he went he turned neither to the right hand or to the left from following Abner. Then Abner looked behind him and said, "Is it you Asahel"? And he answered, "It is I" Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and seize one of the young men, and take his spoil." But Asahel would... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 2:18

2 Samuel 2:18. And Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe— Asahel was a gallant man, and one of David's twelve captains, remarkably valiant, but more remarkably swift; light of foot as a roe in the field. See 1 Chronicles 12:8. Hasselquist's Travels, p. 190 and Shaw's Travels, part 2: p. 414. read more