One of David’s mighty men during Israel’s united kingdom. He was a son of David's sister Zeruiah, and brother of Abishai and Joab. He was also the father of Zebadiah.
About Asahel
A warrior among David’s mighty men known as "the thirty" (2 Samuel 23:24; 1 Chronicles 11:26). Asahel was the son of David’s half-sister Zeruiah and the brother of Joab and Abishai (2 Samuel 2:18; 1 Chronicles 2:16). In the battle of Gibeon, David’s general Joab engaged the forces of Abner, leader of Ishbosheth’s army. Asahel, who "could run like a deer," pursued Abner. In the encounter that happened after that, Abner killed Asahel (2 Samuel 2:18–23, 32).
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Husband of Zeruiah, Zeruiah
- Siblings 2
- Abishai, Joab
- Child
- Zebadiah (1 Chronicles 27:7)
- Aunt
- Abigail (Sister of King David)
- Uncles 8
- David, Eliab (Son of Jesse), Abinadab (Son of Jesse), Nethanel (1 Chronicles 2:14), Raddai, Ozem, Elihu (1 Chronicles 27:18), Shimeah
- Cousins 24
- Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah (Son of David), Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua (2 Samuel 5:14), Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg (2 Samuel 5:15), Japhia (2 Samuel 5:15), Elishama (2 Samuel 5:16), Eliada, Eliphelet, Tamar, Elpelet, Nogah, Jerimoth (2 Chronicles 11:18), Abihail (Daughter of Eliab), Amasa, Jonadab
Key References
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
But Asahel refused to turn away. So Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)
The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division.
All Scripture References (14)
2 Samuel (11)
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit.
And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied.
So Abner told him, “Turn to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.
Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?”
But Asahel refused to turn away. So Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.
When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s servants were missing,
And they took Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and reached Hebron at daybreak.
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)
Now these were members of the Thirty: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
1 Chronicles (3)
Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
Now these were the mighty men: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division.