Asahel
maleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “Made by God”
The youngest of Zeruiah’s three sons, "light of foot as a wild roe," one of David’s mighty men, killed by Abner in flight.
Biography
Asahel was the youngest of the three sons of Zeruiah, David's sister, brother of Joab and Abishai, and one of David's thirty mighty men. He was renowned for his speed: "Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe" (2 Samuel 2:18).
The fatal pursuit
At the battle of Gibeon between the houses of David and Saul, Asahel relentlessly chased the fleeing Abner. Abner twice warned him to turn aside, not wishing to kill Joab's brother — but Asahel refused, and Abner struck him through with the butt of his spear, killing him (2 Samuel 2:19–23). His death set Joab on the path of vengeance that ended in Abner's murder, a feud that shadowed the early years of David's reign.
Life Timeline
Killed by Abner while pursuing him at Gibeon
On the Bible timeline
Asahel belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Asahel
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Asahel appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
14 verses in 2 books2 Samuel11 verses
2 Samuel 2:18
And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. of foot: Heb. of his feet as a wild: Heb. as one of the roes that is in the field
2 Samuel 2:19
And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. from: Heb. from after Abner
2 Samuel 2:20
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
2 Samuel 2:21
And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. armour: or, spoil
2 Samuel 2:22
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?
2 Samuel 2:23
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.
2 Samuel 2:30
And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.
2 Samuel 2:32
And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
2 Samuel 3:27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. quietly: or, peaceably
2 Samuel 3:30
So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
2 Samuel 23:24
Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
1 Chronicles3 verses
1 Chronicles 2:16
Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.
1 Chronicles 11:26
Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
1 Chronicles 27:7
The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
Frequently asked about Asahel
Who was Asahel in the Bible?
The youngest of Zeruiah’s three sons, "light of foot as a wild roe," one of David’s mighty men, killed by Abner in flight.
What does the name Asahel mean?
The name Asahel means “Made by God”.
What did Asahel do in the Bible?
Asahel served as warrior in david's army, of the tribe of Judah.
Where does Asahel appear in the Bible?
Asahel is mentioned 14 times across 2 books: 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Asahel?
The story of Asahel touches on themes of abner, asahel, abishai, zeruiah — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Asahel's life.
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