2 Samuel 2 26

2 Samuel 2:26 kjv

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?

2 Samuel 2:26 nkjv

Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?"

2 Samuel 2:26 niv

Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword devour forever? Don't you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their fellow Israelites?"

2 Samuel 2:26 esv

Then Abner called to Joab, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?"

2 Samuel 2:26 nlt

Abner shouted down to Joab, "Must we always be killing each other? Don't you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?"

2 Samuel 2 verses

2 Samuel 2 26 Meaning

2 Samuel 2:26 records Abner's desperate plea to Joab during a brutal civil war. Abner, realizing the escalating futility and dire consequences of the relentless pursuit and slaughter, appeals to Joab's reason and sense of shared brotherhood. He rhetorically questions the point of endless bloodshed ("Must the sword devour forever?"), then warns that the ultimate outcome will be agonizing ("Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end?"). He then directly challenges Joab's leadership and responsibility, asking how long he will delay commanding his forces to cease their pursuit of their fellow Israelites. It's a recognition by Abner, despite being the opposing general, that this conflict is tearing apart the very fabric of the nation and that peace, even in war, should prevail over total destruction.

2 Samuel 2 26 Context

This verse is situated during the extended period of civil war between the house of Saul, led by Abner, and the house of David, loyal to David as king over Judah. Chapter 2 opens with David's anointing as king in Hebron. Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, is then proclaimed king over all Israel by Abner, leading to a direct confrontation at the Pool of Gibeon. This confrontation began as a proposed duel between twelve men from each side, which escalated into a ferocious general battle, where David's men, led by Joab, gained the upper hand. During the rout, Abner was pursued relentlessly by Joab's brother, Asahel. Abner repeatedly warned Asahel to cease pursuit, and when Asahel refused, Abner, in self-defense, tragically killed him. The pursuit continued until Abner called out this very plea in verse 26, revealing the toll of the conflict and his desperate desire for it to end, particularly when his forces are clearly losing. It underscores the deep-seated rivalry and violence that characterized this transition period in Israel's monarchy, yet also highlights the moral recognition, even amidst conflict, of the grave consequences of kin fighting kin.

2 Samuel 2 26 Word analysis

• Then Abner called to Joab:

  • Abner (אַבְנֵר - ’Aḇnēr): Meaning "my father is a light" or "father of light." He was Saul's cousin and the commander of his army, now leading the forces of Ish-bosheth. His calling signifies a desperate appeal, shifting from fighting to reasoning when on the defensive.
  • Joab (יוֹאָב - Yô’āḇ): Meaning "YHWH is father." He was David's nephew and the powerful commander of David's army. His determination is highlighted by his refusal of Abner's previous appeals.
  • The direct address signifies an attempt to appeal to Joab as a fellow military leader and Israelite, rather than merely an enemy.

• “Must the sword devour forever?”:

  • sword (חֶרֶב - ḥereḇ): A weapon, symbol of war, conflict, and destruction. Here it personifies the relentless nature of battle.
  • devour (תֹּאכַל - tōḵal, from אָכַל - ’āḵal, "to eat/consume"): Implies a relentless, insatiable consumption of lives, not merely killing but annihilating. The usage of "devour" suggests total destruction and refers to the relentless destruction of human life.
  • forever (לָנֶצַח - lāneṣaḥ): Indefinitely, without end. This rhetorical question highlights the futility and absurdity of perpetuating a civil conflict that brings endless ruin. It implies a sense of exasperation and weariness.

• “Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end?”:

  • Do you not know (הֲלוֹא יָדַעְתָּ - hălô yāda‘tā): A strong rhetorical question. It questions Joab's perception, wisdom, or moral understanding. Abner suggests that the inevitable, dire outcome should be clear to anyone with discernment.
  • bitter (מָרָה - mārāh): Literally a bitter taste; figuratively, grievous, harsh, tragic, sorrowful. This refers to the emotional, societal, and long-term spiritual consequences of the bloodshed, far beyond mere physical death. It signifies deep regret, suffering, and national lamentation.
  • in the end (בָּאַחֲרוֹנָה - bā’aḥărōnāh): The ultimate outcome, the long-term consequence. This is a prophetic warning of the lasting devastation and anguish that such a conflict brings, suggesting that even a victory will carry a heavy, sorrowful price for both sides, especially when one is fighting their own countrymen.

• “How long will you refrain from telling the people to return from pursuing their brothers?”:

  • How long (עַד־מָתַי - ‘ad-māṯay): A common lament or desperate plea in the Bible (e.g., Ps 13:1, Ps 6:3), indicating impatience, exasperation, and a call for urgent action.
  • refrain (נִזְגַּר - nizgar, Niphal of גָּזַר - gāzar, "to cut off/determine"): Implies a state of being held back or restrained from doing something. Here, it suggests that Joab has the power to stop the slaughter but is deliberately choosing not to.
  • telling the people to return: Abner attributes the power to cease the fighting to Joab's command. This places the burden of continued bloodshed directly on Joab's shoulders as commander.
  • their brothers: This crucial term (אֲחֵיהֶם - ’aḥêhem) emphasizes the familial and national ties between the warring factions. Both sides are Israelites, sharing a common heritage, God, and land. This highlights the horrific and unnatural nature of civil war, distinguishing it from conflicts with foreign enemies. It’s an appeal to their shared identity and brotherhood as people of Israel.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Must the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end?": These two rhetorical questions collectively function as a poignant appeal to reason and a warning of the dire future. They emphasize the absurdity and destructiveness of perpetual war among kin, transcending the immediate conflict to highlight universal truths about bloodshed and its ultimate consequences. Abner is painting a grim picture of not just loss in battle but lingering, collective sorrow.
  • "How long will you refrain from telling the people to return from pursuing their brothers?": This direct challenge foregrounds Joab's personal responsibility. It contrasts the immediate battlefield advantage with the broader, moral imperative of stopping the fratricidal conflict. The repetition of "brothers" underscores the inherent tragedy and perversity of Israelites slaughtering fellow Israelites, a wound to the very fabric of the chosen nation.

2 Samuel 2 26 Bonus section

• Abner's Pragmatism and Hypocrisy: It's crucial to note Abner's complex character. He initiated the escalation of violence earlier in the chapter (2 Sam 2:14) by proposing the "game" that led to a full-scale battle. His plea for peace comes when he is at a distinct disadvantage, losing both the tactical battle and having just killed Asahel, which creates a powerful motive for Joab to seek vengeance. This highlights the self-serving aspect of human nature—desiring peace when it benefits one's own immediate situation, even if one was the initial aggressor.
• A Call for National Unity: Beneath the surface of military tactics, Abner's plea subtly resonates with the broader biblical ideal of Israel as a unified nation under God. The "brotherhood" mentioned emphasizes that both sides are part of the same covenant community, highlighting the grievous nature of their division. This civil strife was fundamentally against the design of God for His chosen people to dwell in unity.
• Prophetic Warning: Abner's words "it will be bitter in the end" proved chillingly accurate for the future. The deep divisions and bloodshed initiated during this period—including Asahel's death by Abner's hand, and Joab's eventual retribution against Abner (2 Sam 3:27), and then later Joab’s own violent deeds—continued to sow discord and bitterness throughout David's reign, ultimately affecting his own house and contributing to future conflicts and betrayals.

2 Samuel 2 26 Commentary

Abner’s appeal to Joab, "Must the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end?", is a dramatic turning point. It's a sudden, pragmatic shift from a leader who moments earlier had provoked the very combat he now decries. While Abner's motivation might be self-preservation, as his forces are losing, his words carry profound biblical truths about the futility of prolonged, fratricidal conflict. He recognizes that perpetual bloodshed within a nation brings not victory, but a collective sorrow and bitterness that outweighs any immediate gain. The phrase "their brothers" is key, underlining the sinfulness and unnaturalness of internal strife within God's covenant people. This confrontation reflects a moment of clarity—even from an antagonist—about the cost of disunity and uncontrolled violence. It foreshadows the lingering divisions and future betrayals that will characterize David's reign, underscoring that while battles might be won, the deep wounds of internal conflict scar a nation for generations. This scene serves as a timeless caution against allowing pride and personal vendettas to prolong conflict at the cost of shared humanity and national well-being.