2 Samuel

2 Samuel 2:18–24

¹⁸The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle, 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.

²²Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?”

²³But Asahel refused to turn away. So Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died. ²⁴But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. By sunset, they had gone as far as the hill of Ammah opposite Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.

Read all of 2 Samuel 2

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

2 Samuel 2:18

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
The three	שְׁלֹשָׁה֙	šə·lō·šāh	Number - masculine singular	H7969 a three, triad
sons	בְּנֵ֣י	bə·nê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
of Zeruiah	צְרוּיָ֔ה	ṣə·rū·yāh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6870 Tserujah
were	וַיִּֽהְיוּ־	way·yih·yū-	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
there	שָׁ֗ם	šām	Adverb	H8033 there, thither
Joab	יוֹאָ֥ב	yō·w·’āḇ	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3097 Joab
Abishai	וַאֲבִישַׁ֖י	wa·’ă·ḇî·šay	Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H52 Abishai
and Asahel	וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל	wa·‘ă·śā·h·’êl	Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6214 Asahel
Now Asahel	וַעֲשָׂהאֵל֙	wa·‘ă·śā·h·’êl	Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6214 Asahel
fleet	קַ֣ל	qal	Adjective - masculine singular	H7031 light, swift, fleet
of foot	בְּרַגְלָ֔יו	bə·raḡ·lāw	Preposition-b; Noun - feminine dual construct; third person masculine singular	H7272 foot
like a	כְּאַחַ֥ד	kə·’a·ḥaḏ	Preposition-k; Number - masculine singular construct	H259 one
wild	בַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃	baś·śā·ḏeh	Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singular	H7704 id.
gazelle	הַצְּבָיִ֖ם	haṣ·ṣə·ḇā·yim	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H6643 beauty, honour

2 Samuel 2:19

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
and he	עֲשָׂהאֵ֖ל	‘ă·śā·h·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6214 Asahel
chased	וַיִּרְדֹּ֥ף	way·yir·dōp̄	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7291 pursue, chase, persecute
Abner	אַבְנֵ֑ר	’aḇ·nêr	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H74 Abner
not	וְלֹֽא־	wə·lō-	Conjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
turning	נָטָ֣ה	nā·ṭāh	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H5186 stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
to the right	הַיָּמִין֙	hay·yā·mîn	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H3225 right hand
or to the left	הַשְּׂמֹ֔אול	haś·śə·mō·wl	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H8040 the left
in his pursuit	אַבְנֵֽר׃	’aḇ·nêr	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H74 Abner

2 Samuel 2:20

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
And Abner	אַבְנֵר֙	’aḇ·nêr	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H74 Abner
glanced	וַיִּ֤פֶן	way·yi·p̄en	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H6437 turn
back	אַֽחֲרָ֔יו	’a·ḥă·rāw	Preposition; third person masculine singular	H310 behind
and said	וַיֹּ֕אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
Is that	זֶ֖ה	zeh	Pronoun - masculine singular	H2088 this, that
you	הַאַתָּ֥ה	ha·’at·tāh	Article; Pronoun - second person masculine singular	H859 thou
Asahel	עֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל	‘ă·śā·h·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6214 Asahel
It is	אָנֹֽכִי׃	’ā·nō·ḵî	Pronoun - first person common singular	H595 I
Asahel replied	וַיֹּ֖אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say

2 Samuel 2:21

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
So Abner	אַבְנֵ֗ר	’aḇ·nêr	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H74 Abner
told	וַיֹּ֧אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
him	ל֣וֹ	lōw	Preposition; third person masculine singular
Turn	נְטֵ֤ה	nə·ṭêh	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular	H5186 stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
to	לְךָ֙	lə·ḵā	Preposition; second person masculine singular	H5921 height
your	עַל־	‘al-	Preposition
right	יְמִֽינְךָ֙	yə·mî·nə·ḵā	Noun - feminine singular construct; second person masculine singular
or	א֣וֹ	’ōw	Conjunction
to	עַל־	‘al-	Preposition
your left	שְׂמֹאלֶ֔ךָ	śə·mō·le·ḵā	Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H8040 the left
seize	וֶאֱחֹ֣ז	we·’ĕ·ḥōz	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular	H270 grasp, take hold, take possession
one	אֶחָד֙	’e·ḥāḏ	Number - masculine singular	H259 one
of the young men	מֵֽהַנְּעָרִ֔ים	mê·han·nə·‘ā·rîm	Preposition-m, Article; Noun - masculine plural	H5288 a shaking, scattering
and take	וְקַח־	wə·qaḥ-	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular	H3947 take
his equipment	חֲלִצָת֑וֹ	ḥă·li·ṣā·ṯōw	Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H2488 what is stripped off
for yourself	לְךָ֖	lə·ḵā	Preposition; second person masculine singular
But Asahel	עֲשָׂהאֵ֔ל	‘ă·śā·h·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6214 Asahel
would	אָבָ֣ה	’ā·ḇāh	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H14 be willing, consent
not	וְלֹֽא־	wə·lō-	Conjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
stop	לָס֖וּר	lā·sūr	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H5493 turn aside
chasing him	מֵאַחֲרָֽיו׃	mê·’a·ḥă·rāw	Preposition-m; third person masculine singular	H310 behind

2 Samuel 2:22

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Once again	וַיֹּ֧סֶף	way·yō·sep̄	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H3254 add
Abner	אַבְנֵ֗ר	’aḇ·nêr	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H74 Abner
warned	לֵאמֹר֙	lê·mōr	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H559 utter, say
Asahel	עֲשָׂהאֵ֔ל	‘ă·śā·h·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6214 Asahel
Stop	ס֥וּר	sūr	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular	H5493 turn aside
chasing me	מֵאַֽחֲרָ֑י	mê·’a·ḥă·rāy	Preposition-m; first person common singular	H310 behind
Why	לָ֤מָּה	lām·māh	Interrogative	H4100 what? how? aught
should I strike	אַכֶּ֙כָּה֙	’ak·kek·kāh	Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular; second person masculine singular	H5221 smite
you to the ground	אַ֔רְצָה	’ar·ṣāh	Noun - feminine singular; third person feminine singular	H776 earth, land
How	וְאֵיךְ֙	wə·’êḵ	Conjunctive waw; Interjection	H349 How?
could I show	אֶשָּׂ֣א	’eś·śā	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular	H5375 lift, take, carry
my face	פָנַ֔י	p̄ā·nay	Noun - masculine plural construct; first person common singular	H6440 face, before
to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
your brother	אָחִֽיךָ׃	’ā·ḥî·ḵā	Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H251 brother
Joab	יוֹאָ֖ב	yō·w·’āḇ	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3097 Joab

2 Samuel 2:23

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
But Asahel refused	וַיְמָאֵ֣ן	way·mā·’ên	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H3985 refuse
to turn away	לָס֗וּר	lā·sūr	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H5493 turn aside
So Abner	אַבְנֵר֩	’aḇ·nêr	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H74 Abner
thrust	וַיַּכֵּ֣הוּ	way·yak·kê·hū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular; third person masculine singular	H5221 smite
the butt	בְּאַחֲרֵ֨י	bə·’a·ḥă·rê	Preposition-b; Noun - masculine plural construct	H310 behind
of his spear	הַחֲנִ֜ית	ha·ḥă·nîṯ	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H2595 spear
into	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
his stomach	הַחֹ֗מֶשׁ	ha·ḥō·meš	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H2570 belly
and	הַֽחֲנִית֙	ha·ḥă·nîṯ	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H2595 spear
came out	וַתֵּצֵ֤א	wat·tê·ṣê	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular	H3318 go or come out
his back	מֵאַחֲרָ֔יו	mê·’a·ḥă·rāw	Preposition-m; Noun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singular	H310 behind
and he fell	וַיִּפָּל־	way·yip·pāl-	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H5307 fall, lie
dead	וַיָּ֣מָת	way·yā·māṯ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H4191 die
on the spot	שָׁ֖ם	šām	Adverb	H8033 there, thither
And every man	כָּל־	kāl-	Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
paused	וַֽיַּעֲמֹֽדוּ׃	way·ya·‘ă·mō·ḏū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H5975 take one's stand, stand
when he came	הַבָּ֣א	hab·bā	Article; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular	H935 come in, come, go in, go
to	אֶֽל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
the place	הַמָּקוֹם֩	ham·mā·qō·wm	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H4725 standing, spot, condition
where	אֲשֶׁר־	’ă·šer-	Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
Asahel	עֲשָׂהאֵ֛ל	‘ă·śā·h·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6214 Asahel
had fallen	נָ֨פַל	nā·p̄al	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H5307 fall, lie
and died	וַיָּמֹ֖ת	way·yā·mōṯ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H4191 die

2 Samuel 2:24

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
But Joab	יוֹאָ֥ב	yō·w·’āḇ	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3097 Joab
and Abishai	וַאֲבִישַׁ֖י	wa·’ă·ḇî·šay	Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H52 Abishai
pursued	וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֛וּ	way·yir·də·p̄ū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H7291 pursue, chase, persecute
Abner	אַבְנֵ֑ר	’aḇ·nêr	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H74 Abner
By sunset	וְהַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ	wə·haš·še·meš	Conjunctive waw, Article; Noun - common singular	H8121 sun
they	וְהֵ֗מָּה	wə·hêm·māh	Conjunctive waw; Pronoun - third person masculine plural	H1992 they, them
had gone	בָּ֚אוּ	bā·’ū	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural	H935 come in, come, go in, go
as	עַד־	‘aḏ-	Preposition	H5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
far as the hill	גִּבְעַ֣ת	giḇ·‘aṯ	Noun - feminine singular construct	H1389 hill
of Ammah	אַמָּ֔ה	’am·māh	Noun - proper - feminine singular	H522 mother-city
opposite	עַל־	‘al-	Preposition	H5921 height
Giah	גִ֔יחַ	ḡî·aḥ	Noun - proper - feminine singular	H1520 Giach
on the way	דֶּ֖רֶךְ	de·reḵ	Noun - common singular construct	H1870 way, road, distance, journey, manner
to the wilderness	מִדְבַּ֥ר	miḏ·bar	Noun - masculine singular construct	H4057 mouth
of Gibeon	גִּבְעֽוֹן׃	giḇ·‘ō·wn	Noun - proper - feminine singular	H1391 Gibon

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

2 Samuel 2:18 1 Chronicles 12:8 · Habakkuk 3:19 · Song of Solomon 8:14 · Psalm 18:33 · Song of Solomon 2:17

2 Samuel 2:22 2 Samuel 3:27

2 Samuel 2:23 2 Samuel 3:27 · 2 Samuel 4:6

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.