17. And the battle that day was very severe; and Abner and the men of Israel were routed before the servants of David.
18. And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was swift of foot, as one of the gazelles that are in the field.
19. And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from behind Abner.
20. Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he said, I am.
21. And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside, to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay hold of one of the young men, and take for thyself his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.