2 Samuel 2:14 (BSB)

Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied.

From 2 Samuel 2. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:14

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:8-17: Here is, I. A rivalship between two kings - David, whom God made king, and Ishbosheth, whom Abner made king. One would have thought, when Saul was slain, and all his sons that had sense and spirit enough to take the field with him, David would come to the throne without any opposition, since all Israel knew, not only how he had signalized himself, but...
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on 2 Samuel 2:14: And Abner said to Joab,.... Perceiving he made no motion towards an engagement with him, his orders from David being only to act on the defensive, and avoid as much as possible the effusion of blood: let the young men now arise, and play before us; with their swords after the manner of gladiators or duellers; that it might appear who were best skilled in...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on 2 Samuel 2:14: Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us--Some think that the proposal was only for an exhibition of a little tilting match for diversion. Others suppose that, both parties being reluctant to commence a civil war, Abner proposed to leave the contest to the decision of twelve picked men on either side.
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on 2 Samuel 2:14: And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. (h) Let us see how they can handle their weapons.