II Samuel 1-2

“Shall the sword devour forever?  Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end?” (2:26).  Abner had commanded Saul’s army, and he didn’t accept David as the new king.  Instead, Abner transferred his loyalty to Ishbosheth, son of Saul, and began warring against Joab, David’s commander.  Though Abner himself had provoked a battle (v14), he quickly saw that losing the best young men of both armies was a terrible, worthless tragedy.  He beseeched Joab to end the bloodshed.

Anger and hatred are always “bitter in the end.”  Someone has to have the courage to say “enough,” and lay down the weapons.