17 So there was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

18 Now the ^athree sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was ^bas fleet of foot ^cas a wild gazelle.  ‡

20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Are you Asahel?” He answered, “I am.”

21 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.