2 Samuel 2:19
ESV
And Asahel pursued Abner, and as he went, he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
NIV
He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him.
NASB
Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left from following Abner.
CSB
He chased Abner and did not turn to the right or the left in his pursuit of him.
NLT
and he began chasing Abner. He pursued him relentlessly, not stopping for anything.
KJV
And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
NKJV
So Asahel pursued Abner, and in going he did not turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.
What does 2 Samuel 2:19 mean?
It seems Abner had tried to mitigate this fight. Instead of immediately sending his army against Joab's, he suggested each side present twelve soldiers to duel. All twenty-four died, each killing and being killed by his opponent. The resulting full-scale clash is not going well for Abner. Yet he has little to fear for himself. He was Saul's commander, and now is the commander of the army of Ish-bosheth. He knows how to fight (2 Samuel 2:12–17).In the heat of battle, Abner notices Joab's youngest brother, Asahel, running toward him. Abner flees, but not because he's afraid Asahel will kill him. He's more afraid of breaking Joab's heart if he kills his baby brother. Abner tells Asahel to break off, fight the other enemy soldiers, and gather his spoils. Asahel refuses. Reluctantly, Abner stabs Asahel through the stomach with the butt of his spear (2 Samuel 2:20–23). The back side of the weapon would not have been as sharp as the front, but pointed enough to be stuck into the ground (1 Samuel 26:7).
Joab and his older brother Abishai pursue Abner. Finally, standing between the army of Judah and the remnants of his army, Abner stops and convinces Joab to stop the battle. There's no sense in Israelites fighting their fellow countrymen. Joab agrees (2 Samuel 2:24–28). Yet the civil war persists for two years. So does Joab's grudge. He will eventually have his revenge (2 Samuel 3:26–27).
