The Pursuit of Purpose: Asahel and Abner
"Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am." - 2 Samuel 2:20
In the rich tapestry of the Old Testament, the story of Abner and Asahel unfolds with complexity and depth, offering profound insights into the nature of purpose, conflict, and the inevitable outcomes of our choices. The focal verse of this analysis, 2 Samuel 2:20, states, "Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am." This interaction is not merely a momentary encounter; it encapsulates the essence of ambition, identity, and the stark realities of life’s battles.
To comprehend the weight of this dialogue, we must first contextualize who Asahel is. Asahel, one of the sons of Zeruiah and the nephew of David, was known for his swiftness and bravery. His prowess on the battlefield was matched by a fiery zeal to distinguish himself, emerging from the shadows of his uncle, King David. Conversely, Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, finds himself in a position that, while once honorable, is now steeped in the complexity of civil war, strife, and loyalty conflicting with duty to a fallen king.
As we delve into the verse, the act of Abner looking back serves as a potent symbol. In life, we often find ourselves caught up in the hustle of ambition, tirelessly pursuing goals that may be noble or misguided. However, Abner’s glance back is representative of a moment of reflection, a questioning of the path we are on. How many times do we race ahead, indifferent to the voices and values that may lie behind us? The very act of looking back prompts us to consider our motivations, the purpose of our pursuit, and the identities we carry or forsake.
Asahel's answer, "I am," is a powerful affirmation of identity. In a world that often challenges our sense of self, this declaration resonates deeply. Asahel's certainty in who he is guided him into the fray of battle. However, here lies a cautionary tale. Our identity can often lead us into situations driven by pride or ambition without a comprehensive understanding of their implications. Asahel, fueled by his identity as a warrior, advances toward Abner without heed to the advisement that would come from understanding the full picture of his motivations and actions.
Abner, on the other hand, represents the wisdom of caution. As the encounter escalates, he attempts to dissuade Asahel from chasing after him in battle. This moment is significant; Abner sees the reality of their strengths and acknowledges that Asahel, despite his speed, is not matched for the confrontation to come. This call for restraint echoes in the heart of many who pursue their ambitions. In life, pause to listen to the wise counsel around us can save us from escalating conflicts or choices that may lead to our downfall.
Moreover, this verse encapsulates a pivotal theme in the saga of David’s rise to kingship. Within these interactions lies the tension between loyalty to Saul’s legacy, embodied in Abner, and the loyal pursuit of God’s anointed, represented by Asahel. The choice before Asahel, fueled by identity yet devoid of wisdom, serves as an unsettling reminder of how ambition can blind individuals to the deeper truths of their circumstances.
As we reflect on 2 Samuel 2:20, we are invited to examine our pursuits and the identities we claim. Are we moving in haste, fueled by ambition without wisdom? Or are we leaning into the counsel and insights around us? As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to seek our purpose not only in what we chase but also in who we are becoming. Let our aspirations be grounded in humility, wisdom, and a deep awareness of our identity in Him. May we always be open to looking back in order to discern our path forward and to engage our purpose not just with vigor, but with discernment.
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2 Samuel 2:20 - "Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am."
"Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am." - 2 Samuel 2:20
2 Samuel 22:17-20
2 Samuel 20:25 - "And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:"
2 Samuel 20:20 - "And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy."
2 Samuel 20:24 - "And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:"
2 Samuel 20:26 - "And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David."
2 Samuel 16:20 - "¶ Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do."
2 Samuel 20:2 - "So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem."
2 Samuel 1:20 - "Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph."
2 Samuel 20:4 - "¶ Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present."
2 Samuel 7:20 - "And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant."
2 Samuel 20:23 - "¶ Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:"
2 Samuel 22:20 - "He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me."
2 Samuel 20:13 - "When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri."
2 Samuel 3:20 - "So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast."
"And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:" - 2 Samuel 20:25
2 Samuel 20:11 - "And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab."
2 Samuel 20:9 - "And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him."
2 Samuel 20:18 - "Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter."
2 Samuel 20:5 - "So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him."
"And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David." - 2 Samuel 20:26
"And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:" - 2 Samuel 20:24
2 Samuel 20:14 - "¶ And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him."
2 Samuel 20:7 - "And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri."
1 Samuel 2:20 - "¶ And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home."
"And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy." - 2 Samuel 20:20
2 Samuel 20:19 - "I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?"
2 Samuel 24:20 - "And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground."
2 Samuel 20:16 - "¶ Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee."