שמואל ב, פרק ב׳, פסוק י״ט

Asahel's relentless chase after Abner, the commander of the opposing army, was a calculated military move rather than a random encounter on the battlefield. He specifically targeted the head of Ish-bosheth's camp, knowing that striking down the top leader would instantly decide the outcome of the war and smoothly secure the crown for David [רלב״ג].

As he chased his target, Asahel moved in a perfectly straight line, refusing to veer to the right or the left. This unwavering direction carries two distinct but complementary meanings. From a legal and factual standpoint, his absolute focus on Abner, ignoring all other enemy soldiers along the way, proved his deadly intent. By locking onto Abner so directly, Asahel legally defined himself as a lethal pursuer. This specific behavior ultimately justified Abner's decision to strike him down, as it was a clear act of self-defense against an active threat [מלבי״ם].

At the same time, this straight path was deeply tied to the psychological realities and warrior codes of the era. A fighter who simply gave up a chase was branded a coward and faced public shame. To avoid this disgrace, a warrior who wanted to break off a pursuit would normally veer off toward a different target, creating the illusion of a tactical shift rather than a fearful retreat. Asahel, intensely protective of his honor, refused to use this face-saving tactic. He rejected Abner's offers to turn aside and take the spoils from other young soldiers, choosing instead to maintain his honor by continuing his pursuit in a direct, unyielding line [אברבנאל].