Abner trusting to his greater numbers, offers battle. Play before us, i.e. show their prowess and dexterity in managing their weapons, and fighting together. He speaks like a vain-glorious and cruel man, and a soldier of fortune, that esteemed it a sport to see men wounding and killing one another. So this he designed, partly for their mutual recreation, and trial of skill and valour; and partly that by this occasion they might be engaged in a battle.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 2:14
2 Samuel 2:14
14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.