2 Samuel 2:24-32
24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and when the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is opposite Giah by way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
25 And the sons of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became one troop, and they stood on the top of a hill.
26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, “Should the sword devour forever? Do you not realize that it will be bitter in the end? So how long will you refrain from telling the people to turn back from pursuing their kinsmen?”
27 Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, then the people of Judah certainly would have withdrawn in the morning, each from pursuing his brother.”
28 So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the people halted and no longer pursued Israel, nor did they continue to fight anymore.
29 Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim.
30 Then Joab returned from pursuing Abner; but he gathered all the people together, and nineteen of David’s servants were missing, besides Asahel.
31 However, the servants of David had struck and killed many of Benjamin and Abner’s men; 360 men were dead.
32 And they carried Asahel away and buried him in his father’s tomb, which was in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men traveled all night until the day dawned at Hebron.
Truce
Pursuit
Joab and Abishai, having their brother Asahel killed, pursued General Abner with relentless determination. As the sun was setting, they reached the hill of Ammah. This location was within the territory of Benjamin, positioned at the beginning of the descent into the Jordan Valley. (1) Defeated in battle, General Abner gathered the Benjaminites on the hill and took a stand against Joab’s pursuing army. (2) Seeing that Joab’s forces were still prepared to attack, Abner called for a truce, saying, “Should the sword devour forever? Do you not realize that it will be bitter in the end? So how long will you refrain from telling the people to turn back from pursuing their kinsmen?” (3) Upon hearing Abner’s proposal, Joab recognized the futility of the civil war and agreed to a truce. (4) The total number of casualties was 20 from Joab’s army, including Asahel, while Abner’s army suffered 360 losses. The side that initiated the battle, Abner’s forces, experienced significantly higher casualties. (5) Joab’s soldiers carried Asahel’s body and buried him in his father’s tomb in Bethlehem. Asahel was David’s nephew, and his family’s burial site was located in Bethlehem. (5) Joab’s soldiers carried Asahel’s body and buried him in his father’s tomb in Bethlehem. Asahel was David’s nephew, and his family’s burial site was located in Bethlehem.
The futility of battle
In the morning, 380 soldiers were full of life, but by sunset, they lay dead. There was no battle more futile and senseless than this one. The one who initiated this conflict was Abner. Yet, when calling for a ceasefire, he argued, “Do you not realize that it will be bitter in the end?” These were the words Abner should have spoken to himself before initiating the combat by the pool of Gibeon. People often regain their “rationality” only when things turn against them, but true wisdom must be exercised before disaster strikes. A combative attitude brings far greater harm than expected, both to oneself and to others. We too, maybe hurting those around us with a critical attitude or harsh words. Let’s meditate on these words of Scripture: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9) and seek peace with everyone. Where there is conflict, let us work to bring reconciliation.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please make me a vessel of peace. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.