2 Samuel 2:20
New International Version
Abner looked behind him and asked, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” he answered.

New Living Translation
When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, “Is that you, Asahel?” “Yes, it is,” he replied.

English Standard Version
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is it you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.”

Berean Standard Bible
And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied.

King James Bible
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.

New King James Version
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Are you Asahel?” He answered, “I am.

New American Standard Bible
Then Abner looked behind himself and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he said, “It is I!”

NASB 1995
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.”

NASB 1977
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Abner turned to look behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.”

Amplified Bible
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He answered, “It is I.”

Christian Standard Bible
Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel? ” “Yes it is,” Asahel replied.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?"” Yes it is,” Asahel replied.

American Standard Version
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Is it thou, Asahel? And he answered, It is I.

Contemporary English Version
When Abner turned and saw him, he said, "Is that you, Asahel?" Asahel answered, "Yes it is."

English Revised Version
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Is it thou, Asahel? And he answered, It is I.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Abner looked back, he asked, "Are you Asahel?" "Yes," Asahel answered.

Good News Translation
Abner looked back and said, "Is that you, Asahel?" "Yes," he answered.

International Standard Version
When Abner looked behind him, he said, "Is that you, Asahel?" He answered, "I am."

Majority Standard Bible
And Abner glanced back and said, ?Is that you, Asahel?? ?It is,? Asahel replied.

NET Bible
Then Abner turned and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?" He replied, "Yes it is!"

New Heart English Bible
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, "Is it you, Asahel?" He answered, "It is I."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.

World English Bible
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He answered, “It is.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abner looks behind him and says, “Are you he—Asahel?” And he says, “I [am].”

Young's Literal Translation
And Abner looketh behind him, and saith, 'Art thou he -- Asahel?' and he saith, 'I am.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abner will look behind him and say, This thou Asahel? And he will say, I.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abner looked behind him, and said: Art thou Asael? And he answered: I am.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, Abner looked behind his back, and he said, “Are you not Asahel?” And he responded, “I am.”

New American Bible
Abner turned around and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He replied, “Yes.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Abner looked back and said, “Is it you, Asahel?” He answered, “Yes, it is.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Abner looked behind him and said, Is that you, Ashael? And he answered, It is I.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abnir turned behind him and said: “You are this Shayel”, and he said: “I am”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Abner looked behind him, and said: 'Is it thou, Asahel?' And he answered: 'It is I.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abenner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asael himself? and he said, I am.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
War Between the Houses of David and Saul
19and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit. 20And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied. 21So Abner told him, “Turn to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 26:17
Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.

1 Samuel 17:55-58
As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” / “Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king. / So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. ...

1 Samuel 20:3
But David again vowed, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or he will be grieved.’ As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”

1 Samuel 24:16
When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud

1 Samuel 26:14-15
And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner replied. / So David said to Abner, “You are a man, aren’t you? And who in Israel is your equal? Why then did you not protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him?

1 Kings 2:5
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.

1 Chronicles 2:16
Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.

1 Chronicles 12:2
they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin):

1 Chronicles 27:24
Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David.

2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

2 Samuel 19:6
You love those who hate you and hate those who love you! For you have made it clear today that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would have pleased you!

2 Samuel 23:18-19
Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. / Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

2 Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.

2 Samuel 3:30
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

2 Samuel 20:8-10
And while they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa joined them. Now Joab was dressed in military attire, with a dagger strapped to his belt. And as he stepped forward, he slipped the dagger from its sheath. / “Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Are you Asahel? And he answered, I am.

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Abner Am' Asahel As'ahel
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Abner Am' Asahel As'ahel
2 Samuel 2
1. David, by God's direction, with his company goes up to Hebron
4. where he is made king of Judah
5. He commends them of Jabesh Gilead for their king of Israel
8. Abner makes Ishbosheth king of Israel
12. A mortal skirmish between twelve of Abner's and twelve of Joab's men.
18. Asahel is slain
25. At Abner's motion, Joab sounds a retreat
32. Asahel's burial














And Abner turned back
The phrase "turned back" indicates a moment of decision and confrontation. Abner, a seasoned military commander, is in the midst of a pursuit. The Hebrew root for "turned back" is "שׁוּב" (shuv), which often implies a return or a change in direction. This moment is pivotal, as it reflects Abner's awareness and readiness to engage with Asahel, who is pursuing him. Historically, this encounter is set during a time of civil strife in Israel, following the death of King Saul, where loyalties and leadership are in flux.

and asked
The act of asking here is significant. It shows Abner's willingness to communicate rather than immediately resort to violence. The Hebrew word "שָׁאַל" (sha'al) means to inquire or request, suggesting a moment of pause and consideration. In the broader scriptural context, asking questions often precedes important revelations or decisions, highlighting the value of seeking understanding before action.

'Is that you, Asahel?'
Abner's question is personal and direct. Asahel is identified by name, which is crucial in the narrative. Asahel, the brother of Joab and a nephew of King David, is known for his swiftness and determination. The mention of his name underscores the personal nature of this encounter. In the historical context, names carry significant weight, often reflecting character or destiny. Asahel's pursuit of Abner is not just a military action but a personal vendetta, as he is part of David's family, seeking to consolidate David's rule.

'It is,' Asahel replied
Asahel's response is straightforward and assertive. The Hebrew word for "replied" is "אָמַר" (amar), which means to say or declare. This response indicates Asahel's confidence and determination. He is not deterred by Abner's question, reflecting his youthful zeal and commitment to his cause. In the scriptural narrative, such declarations often precede significant events, highlighting the importance of words in shaping outcomes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Abner
אַבְנֵר֙ (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

glanced
וַיִּ֤פֶן (way·yi·p̄en)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

back
אַֽחֲרָ֔יו (’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

and said,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Is that
זֶ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

you,
הַאַתָּ֥ה (ha·’at·tāh)
Article | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

Asahel?”
עֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל (‘ă·śā·h·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6214: Asahel -- 'God has made', four Israelites

“It is,”
אָנֹֽכִי׃ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

Asahel replied.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT History: 2 Samuel 2:20 Then Abner looked behind him and said (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 2:19
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