2 Samuel 2 22

2 Samuel 2:22 kjv

And 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?

2 Samuel 2:22 nkjv

So Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I face your brother Joab?"

2 Samuel 2:22 niv

Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?"

2 Samuel 2:22 esv

And Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?"

2 Samuel 2:22 nlt

Again Abner shouted to him, "Get away from here! I don't want to kill you. How could I ever face your brother Joab again?"

2 Samuel 2 verses

2 Samuel 2 22 Meaning

2 Samuel 2:22 presents Joab's earnest plea to Asahel to abandon his relentless pursuit during the civil war. Joab warns Asahel that should he persist, Joab would be compelled to strike him down, a grievous act of shedding kinsman's blood. The verse highlights Joab's reluctance to kill a member of his own extended family, foreseeing the profound shame and difficulty he would face, particularly in the eyes of his other brother or the wider familial unit, symbolized by the phrase "How then could I show my face to your brother Joab?" It underscores the deep value placed on kinship and the dire consequences of fratricidal conflict in the cultural context of ancient Israel.

2 Samuel 2 22 Context

The events of 2 Samuel chapter 2 unfold shortly after the death of King Saul, marking the beginning of a prolonged civil war between the house of Saul, represented by Abner, Saul's army commander and cousin, and the burgeoning house of David, led by David's nephews Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. The chapter describes an initial confrontation at the pool of Gibeon, where a challenge turns into a fierce battle. Asahel, renowned for his incredible speed, fixates on pursuing Abner, a more experienced warrior. Abner, realizing the personal and tribal ramifications of killing a kin member (Asahel was Joab's brother and part of David's close circle), attempts to divert Asahel. Verse 22 captures Joab's second, more desperate warning to Asahel, underscoring the deep-seated cultural significance of kinship ties and the catastrophic implications of shedding a kinsman's blood in ancient Israel's honor-shame society.

2 Samuel 2 22 Word analysis

• And Joab said again: This highlights Joab's persistent effort to avert a tragic outcome. It shows he did not want to strike Asahel, emphasizing a deep reluctance rather than immediate hostility. Joab's repeat plea signals the grave nature of the impending conflict and his desire to respect the familial bond.
• to Asahel: Asahel was Joab's younger brother, celebrated for his exceptional speed (2 Sam 2:18). His singular focus on pursuing Abner underscores a warrior's relentless drive but also his inexperience or pride, refusing to back down from a stronger foe.
• 'Turn aside from following me.': The Hebrew verb is "סוּר" (sur), meaning to turn aside, depart, or deviate. It is a clear and direct command, conveying an urgent warning and offering Asahel an honorable exit from the dangerous chase.
• 'Why should I strike you to the ground?': A rhetorical question expressing Joab's profound reluctance and the gravity of the potential action. "Strike... to the ground" (הַכּוֹתֶךָ אַרְצָה - hakkotekha 'artza) denotes a fatal, definitive blow, an act that would incur bloodguilt. Joab recognizes this would be a heinous act within their familial and societal structure.
• 'How then could I show my face...?': The Hebrew phrase "אֵיכָה אֶשָׂא פָנַי" (eikha essā' fānay) literally means "How can I lift my face?" This idiomatic expression conveys a deep sense of shame, dishonor, or an inability to face another due to guilt or the breaking of societal trust. It speaks to the critical importance of reputation and communal standing, especially within one's own kin group, in Israelite culture. Such an act would bring immense personal disgrace and jeopardize his relationships.
• 'to your brother Joab?': This specific phrasing has long been a point of discussion. As Joab is the speaker, addressing Asahel (whose brother Joab himself is, along with Abishai), this could imply several meanings within the original Hebrew context:
  • It may emphasize the profound dishonor Joab would feel in the eyes of his shared family, particularly Abishai, the other surviving brother, who would certainly avenge Asahel’s death. (Some scholarly and textual traditions suggest "Abishai" was the original name, implying a scribal variant over time, however, we deal with the text as given).
  • It could imply Joab contemplating facing himself, questioning his own moral standing or conscience after committing such an act against kin.
  • It reinforces the inescapable consequences within a tribal society where familial ties demand deep loyalty and any violation has profound repercussions among the kinship group, making future interactions impossible or deeply strained.

2 Samuel 2 22 Bonus section

The Hebrew word "גּוֹאֵל הַדָּם" (go'el haddam), "avenger of blood," is a key concept implicitly underlying Joab’s concern. According to Mosaic Law (e.g., Num 35:19), a close relative was obliged to avenge the death of a kinsman. Joab knew that if he killed Asahel, even in self-defense, Abishai (their actual brother) would be compelled to become his avenger, thereby creating an agonizing blood feud within his own immediate family, staining their honor, and setting them against each other, a catastrophic outcome for Zeruiah's sons, who were already powerful leaders for David. This moment underscores Joab's moral dilemma—a commander’s necessity to survive in battle versus the deeply ingrained familial obligation. Asahel’s swiftness, while admirable in battle, proved to be his downfall because it propelled him into a situation where Abner (and eventually Joab) had no choice but to neutralize him, even as Abner also sought to avoid shedding his blood. The persistence and zeal of Asahel are ironically fatal flaws here, as they override prudence and disregard life-saving counsel.

2 Samuel 2 22 Commentary

2 Samuel 2:22 is a poignant moment revealing the complexities of warfare and the unwritten laws of kin in ancient Israel. Joab, a seasoned commander, issues a dire warning to Asahel, not out of malice, but from a clear understanding of the severe consequences of killing a relative. His question, "Why should I strike you to the ground?" is a genuine expression of his aversion to spilling kindred blood. The subsequent rhetorical query, "How then could I show my face to your brother Joab?" encapsulates the deep cultural value of familial honor and the personal dread of social and moral disgrace within one's own clan. Joab is not just concerned with physical repercussions, but with the intangible stain of bloodguilt and the irreparable damage to family relations. This verse stands as a tragic prelude to the escalation of conflict; Joab’s eventual decision to kill Abner is portrayed as an act of vengeance for Asahel’s death, directly demonstrating how this unheeded warning led to deeper cycles of bloodguilt and vengeance.

Practical examples for understanding:

• A tribal elder seeking to mediate a conflict to prevent intra-tribal bloodshed, understanding the enduring damage to their community.
• A modern family facing a severe dispute where a member threatens legal action against a relative, contemplating the lasting division and shame it might bring to family gatherings and reputation.