14. Abner said to Joab, "Let’s have the young men fight in a contest before us.""All right," Joab said, "let’s do it."
15. So the men came forward and were counted as they passed by: twelve for Benjamin and Ishbosheth, Saul’s son; and twelve of David’s soldiers.
16. Each man grabbed his opponent by the head and stuck his sword into his opponent’s side so that they both fell dead together. That’s why that place is called The Field of Daggers, which is located in Gibeon.
17. A fierce battle took place that day, and Abner and the Israelite troops were defeated by David’s soldiers.
18. Now Zeruiah’s three sons were present at the battle: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as fast as a gazelle in an open field.
19. Asahel went after Abner, staying completely focused in his pursuit of Abner.
20. Abner looked behind him and said, "Is that you, Asahel?""Yes, it’s me," Asahel answered.
21. "Break off your pursuit!" Abner told him. "Fight one of the young warriors and take his gear for yourself!" But Asahel wouldn’t stop chasing him.
22. So Abner repeated himself to Asahel: "Stop chasing me. Why should I kill you? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?"
23. But Asahel wouldn’t turn back, so Abner hit him in the stomach with the back end of his spear. But the spear went through Asahel’s back. He fell down and died right there.Everyone who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died just stood there,
24. but Joab and Abishai went after Abner. The sun was setting when they came to the hill of Ammah, which faces Giah on the road to the Gibeon wilderness.
25. The Benjaminites rallied behind Abner, forming a single unit. Then they took their positions on the top of a hill.