Asahel
Ask about Asahel
Asahel was one of the three sons of Zeruiah, David's sister, and the brother of Joab and Abishai. Scripture remembers him as 'light of foot as a wild roe.' In the battle at Gibeon between David's men and the forces of Ishbosheth, he chased Abner and would not turn aside, even after Abner warned him twice. Abner finally struck him with the back end of his spear, and he died on the spot. He was buried in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. His death began a blood feud: Joab later murdered Abner at Hebron 'for the blood of Asahel his brother.' Asahel is listed among David's mighty men and as captain of the army division for the fourth month.
Biography
- Occupation
- Warrior
- Tribe
- Judah
- Mother
- Zeruiah
- Children
- Zebadiah
- Era
- United Kingdom
- Nationality
- Israelite
Family
Did You Know?
Abner tried twice to turn Asahel away, asking, 'how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?' (2 Samuel 2:22) - he foresaw the blood feud that would follow.
His death was so shocking that 'as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still' (2 Samuel 2:23).
Asahel heads the list of 'the valiant men of the armies' in 1 Chronicles 11:26, and the army roster of 1 Chronicles 27:7 names him captain for the fourth month, with 'Zebadiah his son after him.'
Key Chapters
Key Passages
Swift as a Wild Roe
2 Samuel 2:18-23
Asahel's speed and single-mindedness made him a fine warrior, but his refusal to heed a warning cost him his life.
18nd there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
Joab Avenges Asahel
2 Samuel 3:26-27
Joab's revenge on Abner, carried out at the gate of Hebron, shows how one death in battle could breed private vengeance and threaten David's peace.
26nd when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
Among David's Mighty Men
1 Chronicles 11:26
Asahel heads the list of 'the valiant men of the armies,' remembered for his courage despite his early death.
26lso the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
Captain for the Fourth Month
1 Chronicles 27:7
The army roster still bears his name, with his son Zebadiah serving after him.
7he fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
