There was a civil war in Israel. David was made king of Judah and Saul's uncle (Abner) made Saul's son (Ishbosheth) king of the rest of Israel. When they fought each other, Abner killed Joab's brother, but David's army was victorious.
Abner finally stopped the battle with a rhetorical question to David's army. "Must the sword devour forever?" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])