2 Samuel 2:26

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?

Then Abner {H74} called {H7121} to Joab {H3097}, and said {H559}, Shall the sword {H2719} devour {H398} for ever {H5331}? knowest {H3045} thou not that it will be bitterness {H4751} in the latter end {H314}? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid {H559} the people {H5971} return {H7725} from following {H310} their brethren {H251}?

Then Avner called out to Yo'av, "Must the sword go on devouring forever? Don't you know that in the end it can produce only bitterness? How long will it be, then, before you tell the people to quit pursuing their brothers?"

Then Abner called out to Joab: β€œMust 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?”

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?

Commentary

Context of 2 Samuel 2:26

This verse is set during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, immediately following the death of King Saul. A civil war has erupted between the house of Saul, led by his son Ish-bosheth and his formidable commander Abner, and the emerging kingdom of David, who has been anointed king over Judah. The specific scene in 2 Samuel chapter 2 describes a fierce and tragic battle at Gibeon, where a challenge between twelve men from each side escalated into a full-scale rout of Abner's forces by Joab, David's nephew and chief commander. Abner, realizing the devastating toll and the futility of continued slaughter, calls out to Joab, pleading for an end to the bloodshed among "brethren" – fellow Israelites.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Futility of Prolonged Conflict: Abner's rhetorical question, "Shall the sword devour for ever?", highlights the senseless and unsustainable nature of endless war. He acknowledges that continued fighting brings only destruction and loss, not ultimate victory or peace for either side.
  • The Bitterness of Consequences: His warning, "knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end?", emphasizes that the outcome of such relentless strife is invariably painful and regrettable. The Hebrew word for "bitterness" (marah) signifies deep sorrow, grief, and hardship, suggesting that the long-term effects of this internal conflict would be devastating for the nation as a whole. This echoes the sentiment that the way of transgressors is hard.
  • A Plea for Reconciliation: Abner's final question, "how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?", is a direct appeal to Joab to cease the pursuit and recognize the common kinship of the warring factions. It's a call to halt the fratricidal conflict and seek a path towards unity, even if born out of exhaustion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the sword devour" uses the Hebrew verb 'akal (ΧΦΈΧ›Φ·Χœ), which literally means "to eat" or "to consume." Here, it powerfully personifies the sword as an insatiable beast, relentlessly consuming lives. This vivid imagery underscores the brutal and indiscriminate nature of war.

Practical Application

2 Samuel 2:26 offers timeless wisdom about the destructive nature of persistent conflict, whether on a national, communal, or even personal level. It serves as a reminder that:

  • Prolonged Strife is Self-Destructive: Just as the civil war was tearing Israel apart, unceasing disputes in any sphere of life ultimately lead to "bitterness" and exhaustion for all involved.
  • Seeking Peace is Wisdom: Recognizing when to cease hostilities and pursue reconciliation, even from a position of disadvantage or weariness, is a mark of true wisdom. It's a call to prioritize restoration over endless retribution.
  • The Cost of Division: The verse highlights the tragic cost when "brethren" (or those who should be united) are pitted against each other. It encourages reflection on the value of unity and the detrimental impact of internal divisions.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 46:14 (5 votes)

    Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.

  • Jeremiah 46:10 (3 votes)

    For this [is] the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

  • Acts 7:26 (3 votes)

    And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?

  • Psalms 4:2 (2 votes)

    O ye sons of men, how long [will ye turn] my glory into shame? [how long] will ye love vanity, [and] seek after leasing? Selah.

  • Jeremiah 12:12 (2 votes)

    The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the [one] end of the land even to the [other] end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.

  • 2 Samuel 2:16 (2 votes)

    And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and [thrust] his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which [is] in Gibeon.

  • 2 Samuel 2:14 (2 votes)

    And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.