2 Samuel 2:21
New International Version
Then Abner said to him, “Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.

New Living Translation
“Go fight someone else!” Abner warned. “Take on one of the younger men, and strip him of his weapons.” But Asahel kept right on chasing Abner.

English Standard Version
Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take his spoil.” But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.

Berean Standard Bible
So 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.

King James Bible
And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

New King James Version
And Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men and take his armor for yourself.” But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.

New American Standard Bible
So Abner said to him, “Turn aside for your own good to your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his equipment.” But Asahel was unwilling to turn aside from following him.

NASB 1995
So Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil.” But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him.

NASB 1977
So Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil.” But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or to your left, and seize one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil.” But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him.

Amplified Bible
So Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or to your left, and grab one of the young men and take his armor for yourself.” But Asahel was not willing to turn away from pursuing Abner.

Christian Standard Bible
Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or left, seize one of the young soldiers, and take whatever you can get from him.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or left, seize one of the young soldiers, and take whatever you can get from him.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.

American Standard Version
And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armor. But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.

Contemporary English Version
Abner said, "There are soldiers all around. Stop chasing me and fight one of them! Kill him and take his clothes and weapons for yourself." But Asahel refused to stop.

English Revised Version
And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abner told him, "Leave me alone! Catch one of the young men, and take his weapon." But Asahel refused to turn away from him.

Good News Translation
"Stop chasing me!" Abner said. "Run after one of the soldiers and take what he has." But Asahel kept on chasing him.

International Standard Version
Abner told him, "Go off to your right or left after one of the young men and grab some war spoils." But Asahel would not stop following him,

Majority Standard Bible
So 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.

NET Bible
Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right or to your left. Capture one of the soldiers and take his equipment for yourself!" But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him.

New Heart English Bible
Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and grab one of the young men, and take his armor." But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay hold on one of the young men, and take to thee his armor. But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.

World English Bible
Abner said to him, “Turn away to your right hand or to your left, and grab one of the young men, and take his armor.” But Asahel would not turn away from following him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abner says to him, “Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and seize one of the youths for yourself, and take his armor for yourself”; and Asahel has not been willing to turn aside from after him.

Young's Literal Translation
And Abner saith to him, 'Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and seize for thee one of the youths, and take to thee his armour;' and Asahel hath not been willing to turn aside from after him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abner will say to him. Turn to thyself to the right or to the left, and take hold for thyself from the boys and take to thee his spoils. And Asahel would not turn aside from after him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abner said to him: Go to the right hand or to the left, and lay hold on one of the young men and take thee his spoils. But Asael would not leave off following him close.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Abner said to him, “Go to the right, or to the left, and apprehend one of the youths, and take his spoils for yourself.” But Asahel was not willing to cease from pursuing him closely.

New American Bible
Abner said to him, “Turn right or left; seize one of the young men and take what you can strip from him.” But Asahel would not stop pursuing him.

New Revised Standard Version
Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or to your left, and seize one of the young men, and take his spoil.” But Asahel would not turn away from following him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abner said to him, Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take for yourself his armor. But Ashael would not turn aside from following him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abnir said to him: “Turn yourself either to your right or to your left and seize for yourself one of the young men and take for yourself his armor!” And Shayel would not turn from following after him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abner said to him: 'Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour.' But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abenner said to him, Turn thou to the right hand or to the left, and lay hold for thyself on one of the young men, and take to thyself his armour: but Asel would not turn back from following him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
War Between the Houses of David and Saul
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?”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 26:8-9
Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!” / But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”

1 Samuel 17:49-51
Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. / Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. / David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

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 20:10
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.

1 Kings 2:5-6
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. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

1 Chronicles 11:20-21
Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. / He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

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 27:4
Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader. There were 24,000 men in his division.

Psalm 18:34
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalm 144:1
Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Luke 22:49-51
Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” / And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. / But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.

John 18:10-11
Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. / “Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”

Acts 7:24
And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Abner said to him, Turn you aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay you hold on one of the young men, and take you his armor. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

armour.

Judges 14:19
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

Jump to Previous
Abner Armor Armour Arms Asahel As'ahel Chasing Fighting-Men Following Hand Hands Hold Lay Right Seize Spoil Stop Strip Thyself Turn Turned Weapons Willing Young Youths
Jump to Next
Abner Armor Armour Arms Asahel As'ahel Chasing Fighting-Men Following Hand Hands Hold Lay Right Seize Spoil Stop Strip Thyself Turn Turned Weapons Willing Young Youths
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














So Abner told him
Abner, a prominent military leader and the commander of Saul's army, is a key figure in the early monarchy of Israel. His name in Hebrew, "אַבְנֵר" (Avner), means "father of light" or "my father is a lamp," indicating his role as a guiding force. Historically, Abner was a cousin to King Saul and played a significant role in the power dynamics following Saul's death. His words here are not just a command but a strategic attempt to avoid unnecessary bloodshed within the tribes of Israel.

Turn aside to your right or to your left
This phrase suggests a choice, a moment of decision. In the Hebrew context, the right hand often symbolizes strength and favor, while the left can represent weakness or rejection. Abner is offering Asahel a chance to reconsider his pursuit, to choose a different path. This reflects the broader biblical theme of free will and the importance of making wise decisions. The historical context here is a time of civil strife, where every decision could lead to significant consequences.

seize one of the young men
The term "young men" in Hebrew, "נַעַר" (na'ar), often refers to a servant or a soldier in training. Abner is suggesting that Asahel redirect his aggression towards a less significant target, perhaps to satisfy his warrior's instinct without causing greater conflict. This reflects the harsh realities of ancient warfare, where personal valor and the spoils of war were highly valued. It also underscores the hierarchical nature of ancient Near Eastern societies, where the lives of young men were often expendable.

and take his equipment for yourself
In ancient times, the spoils of war, including weapons and armor, were a tangible reward for victory. The Hebrew word for equipment, "שָׁלָל" (shalal), implies plunder or booty. Abner is offering Asahel a way to gain honor and material wealth without engaging in a potentially deadly confrontation with a superior opponent. This reflects the biblical principle of seeking peace and avoiding unnecessary conflict, as well as the historical reality of warfare as a means of economic gain.

But Asahel would not stop chasing him
Asahel's determination is highlighted here. His name, "עֲשָׂהאֵל" (Asahel), means "God has made," suggesting a divine purpose or destiny. His relentless pursuit of Abner, despite the risks, speaks to his bravery and perhaps youthful recklessness. This moment foreshadows the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition and the personal vendettas that can arise in times of political instability. Asahel's choice not to heed Abner's warning ultimately leads to his demise, illustrating the biblical theme of the cost of pride and the importance of heeding wise counsel.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

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

“Turn
נְטֵ֤ה (nə·ṭêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your right
יְמִֽינְךָ֙ (yə·mî·nə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south

or
א֣וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your left,
שְׂמֹאלֶ֔ךָ (śə·mō·le·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand

seize
וֶאֱחֹ֣ז (we·’ĕ·ḥōz)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession

one
אֶחָד֙ (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of the young men,
מֵֽהַנְּעָרִ֔ים (mê·han·nə·‘ā·rîm)
Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

and take
וְקַח־ (wə·qaḥ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

his equipment
חֲלִצָת֑וֹ (ḥă·li·ṣā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2488: What is stripped off (a person)

for yourself.”
לְךָ֖ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

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

would
אָבָ֣ה (’ā·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 14: To breathe after, to be acquiescent

not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

stop
לָס֖וּר (lā·sūr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

chasing him.
מֵאַחֲרָֽיו׃ (mê·’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition-m | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part


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OT History: 2 Samuel 2:21 Abner said to him Turn you aside (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 2:20
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