Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 2:32

"And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Beth-lehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and the day brake upon them at Hebron." — 2 Samuel 2:32 (ASV)

They took up Asahel. —The bodies of the ordinary soldiers were probably buried on the spot, but because of Asahel’s position and near relationship to David, his body was carried to Bethlehem for burial in the sepulchre of his father. It thus appears that Zeruiah’s husband (of whom there is no other mention) was also from Bethlehem.

The burial must have taken place on the next day (see Note on 2 Samuel 2:30) and, with the previous march of ten miles, would have filled up that day. Therefore, it was twenty-four hours after the close of the battle before they were ready to start from Bethlehem. The night may have been chosen for the march to avoid the heat, and the distance from Bethlehem to Hebron was about thirteen miles.