2 Samuel 2:20
ESV
Then Abner looked behind him and said, "Is it you, Asahel?" And he answered, "It is I."
NIV
Abner looked behind him and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?" "It is," he answered.
NASB
Then Abner looked behind himself and said, 'Is that you, Asahel?' And he said, 'It is I!'
CSB
Abner glanced back and said, "Is that you, Asahel?" "Yes it is," Asahel replied.
NLT
When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, 'Is that you, Asahel?' 'Yes, it is,' he replied.
KJV
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
NKJV
Then Abner looked behind him and said, “ Are you Asahel?” He answered, “I am.”
What does 2 Samuel 2:20 mean?
Abner is running through a battle between the armies of King David and King Ish-bosheth. It's unknown whether Abner came to Gibeon to confront David's men, but a fierce, one-sided battle broke out between the two sides (2 Samuel 2:17).Yet Abner has not fully escaped. One runner has seen him go and remains doggedly in pursuit across the countryside. Looking behind him as the figure gets closer, Abner becomes even more troubled. He calls out to ask if the man is Asahel. Asahel, the youngest brother of Joab, says yes. This is bad news for Abner. Asahel is famous among the Israelites for being both fast (2 Samuel 2:18) and tough (2 Samuel 23:24).
But that's not Abner's primary concern. Abner has been a commander since David spent his days rounding up sheep (1 Samuel 17:55). He's not worried about being killed by a much younger, much less experienced warrior. Abner's concern is Asahel's older brother, Joab. Abner has a long history with Joab and doesn't want to hurt him by killing his brother (2 Samuel 2:22).
In fact, Abner isn't enthusiastic about Israelite armies fighting each other at all. He knows David doesn't want the carnage. In all the years Abner followed Saul as the king chased David, David ran. Both times David had unguarded access to Saul, David let him go (1 Samuel 24:1–7; 26:1–16). There's no doubt David would rather not make war against his own people.
Abner doesn't want to kill Asahel. He doesn't want to fight David's men (2 Samuel 2:26). But he's triggered a wave he can't stop.
