Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then Abner looked behind him, and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He answered, “It is.”
- BSB And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied.
- NKJV Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Are you Asahel?” He answered, “I am.”
- NASB Then Abner looked behind himself and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he said, “It is I!”
- NLT When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, “Is that you, Asahel?” “Yes, it is,” he replied.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Abner recognizes Asahel and confirms his identity. The exchange shows Abner's reluctance to harm him.
Overview
Abner turns and identifies his pursuer as Asahel, signaling awareness of who is chasing him. His question hints at a desire to avoid killing the young man, knowing the consequences with Joab. The brief dialogue heightens the tension before the tragic outcome.
Cross-references & the web
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Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 2:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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