2 Samuel 2:14 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. Let the young men - play before us - This was diabolical play, where each man thrust his sword into the body of the other, so that the twenty-four (twelve on each side) fell down dead together! But this was the signal for that sanguinary skirmish which immediately took place.