²⁰ Then Abner turned and asked, “Is that you, Asahel?” He replied, “Yes it is!” ²¹ Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right or to your left. Capture one of the soldiers^[a] and take his equipment for yourself!” But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him. ²² So Abner spoke again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me! I do not want to strike you to the ground.^[b] How then could I show^[c] my face in the presence of Joab your brother?”