Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle. - 2 Samuel 2:18
Basics
- Father: Buried in a tomb in Bethlehem (2 Samuel 2:32)
- Mother: Zeruiah
- Siblings: Joab, Abishai (2 Samuel 2:18)
- Aunt (Zeruiah's sister): Abigal the daughter of Nahash (2 Samuel 17:25)
- Uncle (through marriage): Ithra the Ishmaelite (2 Samuel 17:25)
- Cousin: Amasa (2 Samuel 17:25)
- Grandfather: Nahash(?) (2 Samuel 17:25) - Scripture has Nahash as the grandfather as his cousin, so probably his grandfather as well but this isn't confirmed.
Account
Abishai was at Gibeon under Joab his brother in the name of David to fight the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, led by Abner the son of Ner. Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle, and he pursued Abner relentlessly. Abner looked behind him and asked, "Is it you, Asahel?" And he answered, "It is I." Abner could not convince him to turn to another and take his spoils, so he threatened him. Asahel refused to turn away, so Abner struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear, so that the spear came out at his back. He fell there and died where he was. And all who came to the place stood still.
Joab and Abishai pursued Abner until the sun started going down. The people of Benjamin gathered behind Abner to make a stand on the top of the hill of Ammah. Abner convinced Joab to cease battle, so they took up Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father in Bethlehem. They returned to Hebron in the morning, having lost 20 men vs. Ish-bosheth's 360. (2 Samuel 2)
Joab and Abishai avenge Asahel
Joab gives Abner a fool's death in Hebron, so Joab and Abishai his brother avenged Asahel. (2 Samuel 3:30)
Asahel is remembered as one of the thirty
David's mighty men were divided into the three and the thirty. Asahel the brother of Joab is one of the thirty. (2 Samuel 23:24)