ASAEL (Hebrew 'Āšāh'ēl, “God has made”). — A swift warrior, nephew of David, son of his sister Zeruiah, younger brother of Joab and Abishai. After the Davidic army, commanded by Joab and Abishai, had defeated at Gibeon the troops of Ish-bosheth led by Abner, the latter, pursued by the swift Asahel, turned suddenly and, though unwillingly, killed him instantly (2 Sam 2:19-23). This death would serve as a pretext for Joab to rid himself of Abner (ibid. 3:27). Admired for his courage, Asahel was numbered among David’s foremost warriors (ibid. 23:24; 1 Chron 11:26). He was buried in his father’s tomb at Bethlehem.
The same name is borne in the Old Testament by: a Levite sent by King Jehoshaphat to instruct the people in the divine law (2 Chron 17:8); a Levite appointed to guard the Temple offerings under Hezekiah (ibid. 31:13); the father of Jonathan, a collaborator of Ezra (Vulgate Azabel; Ezra 10:15).