A relentless pursuit on the battlefield reaches a tragic point of no return, where a mixture of pride, stubbornness, and military skill collides in a single fatal moment. As the chase unfolds, Asahel's mindset undergoes a distinct psychological shift. Initially, he simply lacks the inner desire to abandon the pursuit. However, after receiving a direct warning from Abner, fear begins to set in. Yet, driven by a deep sense of pride and a fear of shame, he verbally and outrightly refuses to retreat [מלבי״ם].
Forced to act in self-defense against an opponent intent on killing him, Abner relies on his vast combat experience to utilize the element of surprise [מלבי״ם]. Rather than stopping to turn around and strike with the front blade of his spear, he thrusts the weapon backward while still in motion [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators notes that the blunt back end of a warrior's spear was typically fitted with a sharpened iron spike used for planting the weapon firmly into the ground [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].
Abner actually intends to deliver a non-lethal blow, hoping only to injure one of Asahel's limbs and neutralize the threat without taking his life [מלבי״ם]. Unfortunately, a deadly combination of factors seals Asahel's fate. Because Abner strikes backward without looking, and because Asahel is running at an incredibly high speed right behind him, the force of the impact is devastating. The spear pierces completely through Asahel's body [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד].
The backward thrust strikes a highly vulnerable area. The primary approach among commentators identifies this region as the soft, sensitive spot just beneath the fifth rib, where vital organs like the liver and gallbladder are suspended [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Other traditions suggest the blow lands around the waist or the side of the thigh [רש״י, רד״ק]. A third perspective places the strike directly in the area of the heart [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג]. Expanding on this, [רלב״ג] connects this anatomical region to the concept of armed soldiers, explaining that the heart acts as the body's ultimate weapon and shield, generating the natural heat that preserves and sustains life.
Asahel falls and dies instantly on the exact spot where he is struck. He does not take another step or even twitch; the death is immediate and absolute [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. This sudden and brutal end to the chase sends shockwaves through the ranks. As the rest of David's pursuing army reaches the fallen commander, they freeze in their tracks. Overcome with shock, confusion, and grief at the loss of such a prominent military leader and relative of David, the soldiers bring their pursuit to a complete halt [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, the tragedy does not stop everyone. While the general army stands paralyzed around the body, Asahel's own brothers, Joab and Abishai, refuse to pause. Instead, they press forward, continuing their relentless hunt for Abner [רד״ק].