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2 Samuel 2:26

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 2:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him in the body, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
24But Joab and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
25And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill.
26Then 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?
27And Joab said, As God liveth, if thou hadst not spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone away, nor followed every one his brother.
28So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
29And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Abner called to Joab, etc.] For having now a troop of men with him, he could stop with the greater safety; and being on an hill, and perhaps Joab on one opposite to him, could call to him, so as to be heard: and said, shall the sword devour for ever? slay men, and devour their blood. (see <244610>Jeremiah 46:10). That he was not thoughtful of, nor concerned about, when he set the young men to fighting before the battle, and called it play to wound and shed the blood of each other; but now the battle going against him, he complains of the devouring sword; and though it had been employed but a few hours, it seemed long to him, a sort of an eternity: knowest thou not that it will be…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bitterness - It will produce dreadful effects. Brethren - By nation and religion: whom therefore they should not pursue with so fierce a rage, as if they were pursuing the Philistines. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2:27”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:26 bitterness is the only result: Realizing that such wars go on generation after generation, Abner wisely negotiated a truce.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Shall: Sa2 2:14; Act 7:26 sword: Sa2 11:25; Isa 1:20; Jer 2:30, Jer 12:12, Jer 46:10, Jer 46:14; Hos 11:6 it will be: Sa2 2:16; Pro 17:14 how long: Job 18:2, Job 19:2; Psa 4:2; Jer 4:21 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2:27”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 2 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification