2 Samuel 2:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And 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 armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Abner urges Asahel to turn aside and take another man's spoil instead, but Asahel refuses to give up the chase.
What Does 2 Samuel 2:21 Mean?
Abner pleads with Asahel directly, telling him to turn aside to the right or the left, seize one of the younger soldiers, and take his armor as a prize. He offers Asahel an honorable alternative that would satisfy his desire for glory without costing his life. But Asahel will not turn aside.
Twice now Abner has all but begged the young man to relent. The warning is plain, the escape is open, and still Asahel refuses. There is a sober lesson in a heart that will not be turned even by mercy held out plainly before it. Persistence in a wrong course, deaf to every warning, leads where the warnings said it would. Wisdom knows when to break off the pursuit.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 2:21
What does 2 Samuel 2:21 mean?
Abner urges Asahel to turn aside and take another man's spoil instead, but Asahel refuses to give up the chase.