2 Samuel 2:26

24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. By sunset, they had gone as far as the hill of Ammah opposite Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.

25 The Benjamites rallied to Abner, formed a single unit, and took their stand atop a hill.

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?”

27 “As surely as God lives,” Joab replied, “if you had not spoken up, the troops would have continued pursuing their brothers until morning.”

28 So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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?”
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?
WEB
Then Abner called to Joab, and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Don’t you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long will it be then, before you ask the people to return from following their brothers?”
ASV
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?
DARBY
And Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? and how long shall it be ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
BLB
And Abner called to Joab and said, “Shall the sword forever devour? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end? And until when will you not say to the people to turn from after their brothers?”
ÅB
Da ropte Abner til Joab: Skal sverdet aldri holde opp å fortære? Skjønner du ikke at dette vil ende med sorg? Hvor lenge vil du vente før du befaler dine folk at de skal holde opp med å forfølge sine brødre?
OTB
Da ropte Abner til Joab og sa, "Skal sverdet fortære for alltid? Vet du ikke at det vil bli bittert til slutt? Hvor lenge vil du avstå fra å fortelle folket å slutte å forfølge sine slektninger?"
B1930
Da ropte Abner til Joab: Skal sverdet aldri holde op å fortære? Skjønner du ikke at dette vil ende med sorg? Hvor lenge vil du vente før du byder dine folk at de skal holde op med å forfølge sine brødre?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 46:14

    “Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol; proclaim it in Memphis and Tahpanhes: ‘Take your positions and prepare yourself, for the sword devours those around you.’

    Read in context
  • Acts 7:26

    The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 46:10

    For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance against His foes. The sword will devour until it is satisfied, until it is quenched with their blood. For the Lord GOD of Hosts will hold a sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 17:14

    To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

    Read in context
  • Hosea 11:6

    A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 4:2

    How long, O men, will my honor be maligned? How long will you love vanity and seek after lies ? Selah

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 12:12

    Over 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.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 4:21

    How long must I see the signal flag and hear the sound of the horn?

    Read in context