Then Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men now arise and compete before us." And Joab said, "Let them arise."

"And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and [tried to] reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?'

Then David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall say to Joab: 'Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city, and overthrow it.' So encourage him."

But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

"In vain I have chastened your children; They received no correction. Your sword has devoured your prophets Like a destroying lion.

The plunderers have come On all the desolate heights in the wilderness, For the sword of the LORD shall devour From [one] end of the land to the [other] end of the land; No flesh shall have peace.

For this [is] the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, A day of vengeance, That He may avenge Himself on His adversaries. The sword shall devour; It shall be satiated and made drunk with their blood; For the Lord GOD of hosts has a sacrifice In the north country by the River Euphrates.

"Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in Migdol; Proclaim in Noph and in Tahpanhes; Say, 'Stand fast and prepare yourselves, For the sword devours all around you.'

And the sword shall slash in his cities, Devour his districts, And consume [them,] Because of their own counsels.

And each one grasped his opponent by the head and [thrust] his sword in his opponent's side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Swords, which [is] in Gibeon.

The beginning of strife [is like] releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

"How long [till] you put an end to words? Gain understanding, and afterward we will speak.

"How long will you torment my soul, And break me in pieces with words?

How long, O you sons of men, [Will you turn] my glory to shame? [How long] will you love worthlessness [And] seek falsehood? Selah

How long will I see the standard, [And] hear the sound of the trumpet?