2 Samuel 2:26

Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?

Ver. 26. Shalt the sword devour for ever?] The Hebrews ascribe a mouth to the sword. The Greeks call it πολεμος, q.d., πολυαιμος, from the much blood spilt by it. The Latins call it Bellum a belluis, from beasts, whose manner it is to gore and tear one another. Oh, pray that God would command the sword into the scabbard, making it to "rest and be still," Jer 47:6 that he would "scatter those that delight in war." Pompey was famous for finishing a war quickly.

Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end?] q.d., It is likely to be so, if my men, despairing not of victory only but of life, resolve to run any hazard, and to sell their lives as dear as they can, since they must needs part with them. It is no wisdom to fight with a desperate man. Ignaviam necessitas acuit: et saepe desperatio spei causa est. Victorem a victo superari saepe videmus. a Justin b telleth, that fifteen thousand Locrians did beat a hundred thousand Crotonians: Quia omissa spe victoriae in destinatam mortem conspirarunt, whilst they despaired of victory, and took care only how to die bravely. Take heed, therefore, saith this old soldier, lest ye have sour sauce at length to your deserts; as indeed all those are sure to have who feed on the murdering morsels of sin. Revenge is sweet; but the fruits thereof are sad, and all too late repented of. All wars are woeful; but especially those they call civil,

“ Nullos habitura triumphos. ”

Peccatoris cuiusque calix mellis, in faeces fellis desinet.

Return from following their brethren.] Is it so good butchering their poor brethren? We read in the Roman history of one brother unawares killing another in battle; and that when he came to strip him to take his spoils, seeing that it was his brother, he slew himself for sorrow.

a Curt., lib. iv.

b Lib. xx.