¹⁷ Now the battle was very severe that day; Abner and the men of Israel were overcome by David’s soldiers.^{[a] 18} The three sons of Zeruiah were there—Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. (Now Asahel was as quick on his feet as one of the gazelles in the field.) ¹⁹ Asahel chased Abner, without turning to the right or to the left as he followed Abner.