11. And David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah for seven years and six months.
12. And Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13. Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out also; and the two groups met by the pool of Gibeon, seating themselves with one group on either side of the pool.
14. And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise and have a contest before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
15. Then there arose and went over by number–twelve of Benjamin who were with Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
16. And each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his side; so they all fell together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Knives, which is at Gibeon.
17. A very fierce battle followed, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.
18. Three sons of Zeruiah [the half sister of David] were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe or antelope.
19. Asahel pursued Abner, and as he ran he turned not to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.
20. Then Abner looked behind him and said, Are you Asahel? He answered, I am.