2 Samuel 2:26
Then Abner called out to Joab: “Must the sword devour forever? Do you not realize that this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell the troops to stop pursuing their brothers?”
Majority Standard Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
25The Benjamites rallied to Abner, formed a single unit, and took their stand atop a hill.
Cross References
2 Samuel 2:14Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied.
2 Samuel 11:25Then David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Do not let this matter upset you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city and demolish it.’ Encourage him with these words.”
Job 19:2“How long will you torment me and crush me with your words?
Proverbs 17:14To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
Jeremiah 2:30“I have struck your sons in vain; they accepted no discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a voracious lion.”
Jeremiah 12:12Over all the barren heights in the wilderness the destroyers have come, for the sword of the LORD devours from one end of the earth to the other. No flesh has peace.
Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 2:26-32
25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? 27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. 28 So Joab blew a… Read the whole commentary →