Abner looked back and said, 'Is that you, Asahel?' — Abner recognizes the pursuer and addresses him. The recognition (הַאַתָּה זֶה אַשָּׂהְאֵל, ha'attâ zeh 'aśśāhəʾēl) is personal; Abner knows Asahel by reputation and sight. Abner's response is attempt at honorable negotiation: 'Turn aside to your right or to your left, and seize one of the young men' (סוּר־לְךָ יָמִינָה וּשְׂמֹאולָה וְאַחֲזָה אַחַד מִן־הַנְּעָרִים, sûr-ləḵā yāmînâh ûśəmōʾôlâh vəʼaḥăzāh 'aḥad min-hanəʿārîm). Abner is warning: don't pursue me, else I must kill you. The offer is mercy—take another opponent—but Asahel refuses.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse