2 Samuel 2:17
Verse 17 of 32. The 2nd of 24 chapters in 2 Samuel, in History.
13Joab the son of Zeruiah and David’s servants went out, and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.
14Abner said to Joab, “Please let the young men arise and compete before us!” Joab said, “Let them arise!”
15Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of David’s servants.
16They each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.
17The battle was very severe that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before David’s servants.
18The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle.
19Asahel pursued Abner. He didn’t turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.
20Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He answered, “It is.”
21Abner said to him, “Turn away to your right hand or to your left, and grab one of the young men, and take his armor.” But Asahel would not turn away from following him.
World English Bible. Public domain. Set as prose throughout, including the poetry, because the text is published to us without its lines.