8. Abner son of Ner was the captain of Saul’s army. Abner took Ish Bosheth son of Saul to Mahanaim
9. and made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.
10. Ish Bosheth son of Saul was 40 years old when he began to rule over Israel. He ruled Israel two years, but the tribe of Judah followed David.
11. David ruled over the tribe of Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months.
12. Abner son of Ner and the officers of Ish Bosheth son of Saul left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon.
13. Joab, Zeruiah’s son, and the officers of David also went to Gibeon. They met Abner and Ish Bosheth’s officers at the pool of Gibeon. Abner’s group sat on one side of the pool. Joab’s group sat on the other side.
14. Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have the young soldiers get up and have a contest here.” Joab said, “Yes, let’s have a contest.”
15. So the young soldiers got up. The two groups counted their men for the contest. They chose twelve men from the tribe of Benjamin to fight for Ish Bosheth son of Saul, and they chose twelve men from David’s officers.
16. Each of the men grabbed his opponent’s head and stabbed him in the side with his sword, and then they fell down together. That is why this place in Gibeon is called “The Field of the Sharp Knives.”
17. That contest turned into a terrible battle and David’s officers defeated Abner and the Israelites that day.
18. Zeruiah had three sons, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was a fast runner, as fast as a wild deer.
19. Asahel ran straight toward Abner and began chasing him.
20. Abner looked back and asked, “Is that you, Asahel?” Asahel said, “Yes, it’s me.”