25 And the sons of Benjamin gather themselves together after Abner, and become one troop, and stand on the top of a certain height, 26 and Abner calleth unto Joab, and saith, 'For ever doth the sword consume? hast thou not known that it is bitterness in the latter end? and till when dost thou not say to the people to turn back from after their brethren?' 27 And Joab saith, 'God liveth! for unless thou hadst spoken, surely then from the morning had the people gone up each from after his brother.' 28 And Joab bloweth with a trumpet, and all the people stand still, and pursue no more after Israel, nor have they added any more to fight. 29 And Abner and his men have gone through the plain all that night, and pass over the Jordan, and go on 'through' all Bithron, and come in to Mahanaim. 30 And Joab hath turned back from after Abner, and gathereth all the people, and there are lacking of the servants of David nineteen men, and Asahel; 31 and the servants of David have smitten of Benjamin, even among the men of Abner, three hundred and sixty men—they died. 32 And they lift up Asahel, and bury him in the burying-place of his father, which 'is' in Beth-Lehem, and they go all the night—Joab and his men—and it is light to them in Hebron.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:25-32
Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:25-32
(Read 2 Samuel 2:25-32)
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 into contention, will repent before they have done with it, and had better leave it off before it be meddled with, as Solomon advises. This is true of every sin, oh that men would consider it in time, that it will be bitterness in the latter end! Asahel's funeral is here mentioned. Distinctions are made between the dust of some and that of others; but in the resurrection no difference will be made, but between the godly and ungodly, which will remain for ever.