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2 Samuel 2:18

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 2:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
2 Samuel 2:18 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin, and for Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
16And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and [thrust] his sword in his fellow`s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17And the battle was very sore that day: and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
18And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
19And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
20Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Is it thou, Asahel? And he answered, It is I.
21And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armor. But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, etc.] In the battle, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel; Joab was the general of the array, Abishai was he who went into Saul’s host at night, and took away his spear and cruse of water at his head, (<092606>1 Samuel 26:6,7); and it is for the sake of the third, Asahel, that the account is given, the story of his death being about to be told. And Asahel [was as] light of foot as a wild roe: swiftness of foot, as well as courage, for which this man was famous, (<131126>1 Chronicles 11:26); was a very great qualification for a warrior f29. So Achilles, in Homer f30, is often said to be swift of foot, and others of his heroes are commended for their…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:18 Zeruiah was David’s sister (1 Chr 2:15-16), so Joab, Abishai, and Asahel were his nephews.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“three: Ch1 2:15, Ch1 2:16, Ch1 11:26 was as light: Sa2 1:23; Ch1 12:8; Psa 147:10, Psa 147:11; Ecc 9:11; Amo 2:14 foot: Heb. his feet a wild roe: Heb. one of the roes that is in the field, Psa 18:33; Sol 2:17, Sol 8:14; Hab 3:19, The word tzevee, rather denotes the gazelle or antelope (see note on Deu 15:22.) 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2:19”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification