2-samuel 2:27
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And Joab said, As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And Joab said, As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And Joab said, As God liveth, if thou hadst not spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone away, nor followed every one his brother.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And Joab said, By the living God, if you had not given the word, the people would have gone on attacking their countrymen till the morning.
Webster's Revision
And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
World English Bible
Joab said, "As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone away, and not each followed his brother."
English Revised Version (ERV)
And Joab said, As God liveth, if thou hadst not spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone away, nor followed every one his brother.
Clarke's 2-samuel 2:27 Bible Commentary
And Joab said - The meaning of this verse appears to be this: If Abner had not provoked the battle, (see 2 Samuel 2:14), Joab would not have attacked the Israelites that day; as his orders were probably to act on the defensive. Therefore the blame fell upon Israel.
Barnes's 2-samuel 2:27 Bible Commentary
Joab's speech means either "unless thou hadst spoken (challenged us to fight, 2 Samuel 2:14), the people would have returned from the pursuit of their brethren (many hours ago, even) this morning;" or, "If thou hadst not spoken (asked for peace, 2 Samuel 2:26), surely the people would have returned, etc., in the morning, i. e. would not have ceased the pursuit until the morning." The latter interpretation is the more accordant with Joab's boastful character.
Wesley's 2-samuel 2:27 Bible Commentary
2:27 Unless, &c. - Unless thou hadst made the motion that they should fight, ver. 14 . It was thou, not I, that gave the first occasion of this fight. Abner was the sole cause of this war; otherwise all things had been ended by an amicable agreement: which might have been made that very morning, if he had so pleased.
