שמואל ב, פרק ב׳, פסוק כ״א

In the heat of a relentless pursuit, a seasoned warrior attempts to offer his pursuer an honorable way out. Abner tries to convince Asahel to abandon the chase, providing a strategy for him to retreat without damaging his pride.

The primary approach among commentators is that Abner understands the deep shame a soldier faces if he returns from battle empty-handed or abandons a pursuit. To prevent this disgrace, he suggests that Asahel change his course and capture a different soldier instead. By doing so, Asahel could create the illusion that this new target was his objective all along. This would allow him to return to his camp with a tangible achievement, maintaining his image as a victorious warrior. Alternatively, the suggestion to capture another man might have served a different purpose. It is proposed that this captured soldier could act as an escort for Asahel on his journey back, providing security in case Asahel felt threatened by Abner [רד״ק].

To further secure his honor, Abner advises Asahel to take the captured man's gear. This spoil refers either to the garments of the defeated soldier [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ] or to his weapons [רד״ק], following the customary practice of taking items from a conquered enemy. Abner makes it clear that bloodshed is unnecessary; simply taking the equipment is sufficient proof of a military triumph [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Despite this tempting offer designed to preserve his dignity, Asahel refused to turn away from his original path and stubbornly continued the chase [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].