2 Samuel 2:18-23
18 Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel; and Asahel was as swift-footed as one of the gazelles that is in the field.
19 Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left from following Abner.
20 Then Abner looked behind himself and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he said, “It is I!”
21 So Abner said to him, “Turn aside for your own good to your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his equipment.” But Asahel was unwilling to turn aside from following him.
22 Then Abner repeated again to Asahel, “Turn aside for your own good from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I show my face to your brother Joab?”
23 However, he refused to turn aside; so Abner struck him in the belly with the butt end of the spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died on the spot. And it happened that all who came thereafter to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.
Death of Asahel
General Abner flees
That day’s full-scale war was extremely fierce. The battle was won by David’s army, led by General Joab. Ish-bosheth’s general, Abner, fled from the battlefield. Present at the scene were David’s three nephews: General Joab and his brothers, Abishai and Asahel. Among them, Asahel was known for his speed, as swift as a gazelle. Using his ability, he relentlessly pursued Abner. He determined that if he could kill Abner, Ish-bosheth’s army would be utterly destroyed.
Asahel’s overconfidence
(1) Abner looked back and saw Asahel pursuing him. While Asahel was indeed fast, Abner was far more skilled in battle. Aware of this, Abner warned him twice, saying that he did not wish to kill Joab’s relative and urged him to turn aside in another direction. (2) However, Asahel refused to listen to the warning. (3) In an attempt to stop him, Abner thrust the butt end of his spear into Asahel’s abdomen. (4) Abner did not intend to kill Asahel. However, due to Asahel’s incredible speed, the spear pierced through his back. (5) He died instantly and everyone who passed by was shocked and stopped in their tracks. Asahel’s sudden death came upon him in an unexpected way. He took pride in his speed, but that very strength led to his downfall. If we overestimate our own abilities and ignore warnings, we too may face similar tragedies. What is it that you take pride in? As Christians, we take pride only in the name of the Lord and the cross. “Some praise their chariots and some their horses, But we will praise the name of the Lord, our God” (Ps. 20:7). “But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14).
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, the cross is my only pride. Please help me walk today, taking pride only in the cross. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.