2Sa 2:24-29

But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and when the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

The sons of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became one band,
and they stood on the top of a certain hill.

Then Abner called to Joab and said, “Shall the sword devour forever?
Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end?
How long will you refrain from telling the people to turn back from following their brothers?”

Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken,
surely then the people would have gone away in the morning, each from following his brother.”

So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people halted and pursued Israel no longer,
nor did they continue to fight anymore.

Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night;
so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim.

Remember, most of Joab’s men stopped when they encountered the dead body of Asahel, but Joab and Abishai continued to pursue until sundown.

Abner had the sons of Benjamin who had gathered with him.
Abner petitioned for a truce.
He did not want a “civil” war between brothers of the people of the Lord.

Joab’s response is rather confusing in the NASB translation.
The ESV helps…

2Sa 2:27
And Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken,
surely the men would not have given up the pursuit of their brothers until the morning.”

Joab relented.
He and his men went home.

Abner was taking no chances.
He and his men pressed on through the Arabah all night.
Upon arriving and crossing the Jordan they walked all morning coming to Mahanaim.
This shows us that the night journey was a fast paced…if not running…time.

Constable provides some insight into this incident…

This passage shows how hostilities between the two factions in Israel escalated,
as they often do in modern nations, neighborhoods, and families.
First, the opposing parties stopped talking (v. 12).
Next, they started fighting (v. 13).
Then, Asahel kept pushing (v. 23).
Finally, Abner insisted on defending himself (v. 23).

Such occurs today in all our lives.

May we handle things in the way of the Lord rather than in the manner of man/flesh.

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