2 Samuel 2:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Abner turns and asks whether his pursuer is Asahel, and Asahel confirms that it is.
What Does 2 Samuel 2:20 Mean?
Aware that he is being chased, Abner looks back and recognizes, or suspects, who is on his heels. He calls out, asking if it is Asahel, and the young man answers simply, 'I am.' The brief exchange reveals that Abner knows him and is reluctant to harm him.
There is something almost tender in the seasoned commander's question, a veteran trying to spare a younger man he respects, perhaps a kinsman of allies. The moment offers Asahel a way out, a chance to break off the chase. Mercy is being extended before the spear is ever raised. How often grace gives us an exit we are too set in our course to take.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 2:20
What does 2 Samuel 2:20 mean?
Abner turns and asks whether his pursuer is Asahel, and Asahel confirms that it is.