2 Samuel 2:24-32

Modern English Version

²⁴ But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. As the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is next to Giah on the way to the Wilderness of Gibeon. ²⁵ The sons of Benjamin gathered to the rear of Abner into a single formation, and they took their stand atop one of the hills.

²⁶ Abner called to Joab, “Must the sword consume forever? Do you not understand that a bitter taste will result in the end? How long will you refuse to command the people to withdraw from chasing their brothers?”

²⁷ Joab responded, “As God lives, I assure you that if you had not said this, the people would have each pursued his brother throughout the night.”

²⁸ So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still. They pursued Israel no longer, nor did they continue to fight anymore.

²⁹ So Abner and his men traveled through the Arabah all that night, crossed the Jordan, and marched all morning until they returned to Mahanaim.

³⁰ Joab refrained from pursuing Abner, but instead mustered all of the people. There were nineteen men besides Asahel missing from among the servants of David. ³¹ But the servants of David routed Benjamin and the men of Abner; three hundred and sixty of their men died. ³² They carried Asahel back and interred him in his father’s tomb, which was at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men traveled throughout the night and reached Hebron at dawn.