16And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and [thrust] his sword in his fellow`s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17And the battle was very sore that day: and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
18And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
19And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
20Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Is it thou, Asahel? And he answered, It is I.
21And 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.
22And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?