ASHURITES ăsh’ ə’ rīts (אֲשׁוּרִ֖י). A people in N Israel over whom Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, ruled in his brief reign of two years (2 Sam 2:9, 10). It is not known exactly what place is intended. The reading “Geshurites” (Vul. and Syr.) cannot be correct since it is known that Geshur was independent at that time (2 Sam 3:3; 13:37); neither can the Assyrian Asshur nor the Arabian Asshurim (Gen 25:3) be intended. With a slight textual correction the reading would be hā-’Asherī (the Asherites), i.e. the tribe of Asher, which is prob. correct.