2 Samuel 2:32

Took up Asahel. The bodies of the other soldiers who were slain were probably buried where they fell, but because of Asahel’s relationship to both David and Joab his body was taken to Bethlehem, where it was given burial in the family tomb.

At break of day. Hebron was 14 mi. (22.4 km.) south-southwest of Bethlehem and 23 mi. (36.8 km.) from Gibeon. It would have been a remarkable feat for David’s men, after their long pursuit of the forces of Abner, to leave the scene of battle after nightfall (v. 24), secure the body of Asahel, take it to Bethlehem, bury it in the family tomb, and then continue their march to reach Hebron by daybreak. However, the narrative does not make clear whether the overnight march was from the battlefield or from Bethlehem. Perhaps it was from the latter, inasmuch as some time would be involved in the burial of Asahel.

It is sometimes difficult to understand the motives that prompt a man to take a certain course of action that seems, in retrospect, to have been ill-advised. One cannot help but wish that better judgment had prevailed.