2 Samuel 2:26

2 Samuel 2:26 in other versions

• King James Version (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?
• New International Version (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?”
• English Standard Version (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?"
• New King James Version (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?”

Context of 2 Samuel 2:26

24But Joab and Abishai chased Abner. When the sun went down, they came to the hill of Ammah, opposite Giah on the road from Gibeon to the desert. 25The men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner, banding together and taking their position on top of a hill. Then Abner called to Joab, “Should this slaughter go on forever? Don’t you know this will end in bitterness? How long will it be before you will call off your troops from chasing their relatives?” 27Joab answered, “I solemnly swear, as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would not have stopped chasing their relatives until morning.” 28So Joab blew a ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped. They didn’t chase or fight Israel anymore.

2 Samuel 2:26 word by word

וַיִּקְרָ֨א אַבְנֵ֜ר אֶל־יוֹאָ֗ב וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הֲלָנֶ֙צַח֙ תֹּ֣אכַל חֶ֔רֶב הֲל֣וֹא יָדַ֔עְתָּה כִּֽי־מָרָ֥ה תִהְיֶ֖ה בָּאַחֲרוֹנָ֑ה וְעַד־מָתַי֙ לֹֽא־תֹאמַ֣ר לָעָ֔ם לָשׁ֖וּב מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י אֲחֵיהֶֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Then Abnerאֲבִינֵר'abnêr 'ăbîynêr · AbnerH74
• calledקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call outH7121
• to Joabיוֹאָבyô'âb · JoabH3097
• and saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Shall the swordחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719
• devourאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
• for everנֵ֫צַחnetsach nêtsach · perpetuityH5331
• knowestיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• thou not that it will be bitternessמַרmar mârâh · bitterH4751
• in the latter endאַחֲרוֹן'achăryôn 'achărôn · lastH314
• the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
• returnשׁוּבshûb · to return: turn backH7725
• from followingאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• their brethrenאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251

Cross-references for 2 Samuel 2:26

• 2 Samuel 2:14Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have the young men hold a contest.” Joab agreed.
• Acts 7:26The next day Moses saw two Israelites fighting, and he tried to make peace between them. He said to them, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you treating each other unfairly?’
• 2 Samuel 11:25David said to the messenger, “This is what you are to say to Joab, ‘Don’t let this thing trouble you, because a sword can kill one person as easily as another. Strengthen your attack against the city, and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage him.”
• Isaiah 1:20But if you refuse and rebel, you will be destroyed by swords.” The Lord has spoken.
• Jeremiah 2:30“I have punished your children without results. They didn’t respond to correction. You killed my prophets like a raging lion.
• Jeremiah 12:12Looters swarm all over the bare hills in the desert. The Lord’s sword destroys them from one end of the land to the other. No one will be safe.
• Jeremiah 46:10That day belongs to the Almighty Lord of Armies. It is a day of vengeance when he will take revenge on his enemies. His sword will devour until it has had enough, and it will drink their blood until it’s full. The Almighty Lord of Armies will offer them as sacrifices in the north by the Euphrates River.
• Hosea 11:6War will sweep through their cities, demolish their city gates, and put an end to their plans.
• 2 Samuel 2:16Each one grabbed his opponent by the head, stuck his sword into his opponent’s side, and they fell down together. Therefore, that place in Gibeon is called the Field of Enemies.
• Proverbs 17:14Starting a quarrel is ⌞like⌟ opening a floodgate, so stop before the argument gets out of control.
• Job 18:2“How long before your words will end? Think it through, and then we’ll talk.
• Job 19:2“How long will you torment me and depress me with words?
• Psalms 4:2You important people, how long are you going to insult my honor? How long are you going to love what is empty and seek what is a lie? Selah
• Jeremiah 4:21How long must I see the battle flag and hear the sound of rams’ horns?

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2:26

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 25-32Verses 25-32 Abner appeals to Joab concerning the miserable consequences of a civil war. Those who make light of such unnatural contests, will find that they are bitterness to all concerned. How easy it is for men to use reason, when it makes for them, who would not use it, if it made against them! See how the issue of things alter men's minds! The same thing which looked pleasant in the morning, at night looked dismal. Those who are most forward to enter…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 26this will only end in bitterness: Realizing that such wars go on generation after generation, Abner wisely negotiated a truce.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-3219-32. Asahel pursued after Abner--To gain the general's armor was deemed the grandest trophy. Asahel, ambitious of securing Abner's, had outstripped all other pursuers, and was fast gaining on the retreating commander. Abner, conscious of possessing more physical power, and unwilling that there should be "blood" between himself and Joab, Asahel's brother, twice urged him to desist. The impetuous young soldier being deaf to the generous remonstrance, the…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Samuel 2:26

• Abner
• David
• Israel
• Joab
• Truce
• War

In the dictionaries

• Abner
• Joab
• Cord
• Follow
• Ishbosheth
• Requite
• Government
• Judah, Kingdom of
• Samuel, Books of
• Text of the Old Testament

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings