2 Samuel 2

"Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle. So Asahel pursued Abner, and in going he did not turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner." vv.18-19

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David is finally anointed as king yet not over all of Israel but over the tribe of Judah while the rest of Israel has Saul's son Ishbosheth as king.  We have a civil war break out between David's men and Iqshbosheth's men as what seems like a game to them to determine who has the stronger army.  It starts with 12 of their most valiant men from each side face each other, grabbing each others hair and plunging their sword into their opponents side while the rest of each others armies stand and watch as spectators.  This game and blood apparently fuels the army to then go on and fight each other.  We read about Asahel who was know for being very fast "as a wild gazelle."  "Asahel's swiftness, which he presumed so much upon, did him no service, but hastened his end" (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary). Asahel was so focused on desire for glory for taking orkilling Israel's greatest man. Abner (his enemy) even gives him an opportunity to save his life by telling him to turn aside.  This isn't to say don't pursue things out of your league but this was a civil war brought up for sport than for glory to God. We are often betrayed by the accomplishments we are proud of, especially when they are for selfish reasons.