^{26 Ref} Then Abner called to Joab, and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Don't you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long shall it be then, before you bid the people return from following their brothers?"

^{27 Ref} Joab said, As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone away, nor followed everyone his brother.