en_tn/2sa/02/26.md

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called to

"shouted" or "yelled."

"Must the sword devour forever?

AT: "We do not need to keep using our swords to fight and kill each other." A "sword" cannot literally eat. When it is said to eat or "devour" it is taking part in warfare and killing. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism)

Do you not know it will be bitter in the end? How long will it be before you tell your men to stop pursuing their brothers?

AT: "This will not have a good ending, stop this now so that Israelite will not have to kill Israelite." Here "brother" is used to represent the members of the nation of Israel. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion )

as God lives

This is a very strong vow. AT: "with God as my witness" or "God will affirm that I mean this thing I say."

if you had not said that

This refers to what Abner has said to Joab about stopping the battle.