15 Then they got up and came forward by number—12 for Benjamin and for Saul’s son Ish-bosheth and 12 from David’s servants.
16 Then each grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they all fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17 The battle was very fierce that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated before David’s servants.
18 Now the three sons of Zeruiah were Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Asahel was as swift-footed as one of the gazelles of the field.
19 Asahel pursued Abner, not swerving to the right or to the left from pursuing Abner.
20 Then Abner looked behind him and asked, “Is it you, Asahel?” “It is I,” he answered.
21 So Abner said to him, “Turn away to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men and take his armor for yourself.” But Asahel would not turn away from following him.