Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour forever? know you not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, before you bid the people return from following their brethren?
All Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2:26 Go To 2 Samuel 2
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Destruction. Septuagint, "till thou hast gained a complete victory? "Chaldean, "to separation? "Must we come to an eternal rupture?
Despair? Hebrew, "that it will be bitterness in the end? "Abner insinuates that they had commenced in a sort of play, but the consequences had already proved too serious; and if Joab continued to pursue, his men would be rendered desperate. (Calmet)
Despair makes people perform wonders, to revenge themselves. (Menochius)