2 Samuel 2:27 (BSB)

“As surely as God lives,” Joab replied, “if you had not spoken up, the troops would have continued pursuing their brothers until morning.”

From 2 Samuel 2. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:27

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:25-32: Here, I. Abner, being conquered, meanly begs for a cessation of arms. He rallied the remains of his forces on the top of a hill (Sa2 2:25), as if he would have made head again, but becomes a humble supplicant to Joab for a little breathing-time, Sa2 2:26. He that was most forward to fight was the first that had enough of it.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on 2 Samuel 2:27: And Joab said, as God liveth,.... Which was the form of an oath, swearing by the living God: unless thou hadst spoken; that is, these words in Sa2 2:14; "let the young men arise and play", that he had not given the challenge to fight: surely then in the morning the people had gone up everyone from following his brother; they would have gone away...
• Geneva Bible Notes (Reformed), Geneva Bible Study Notes on 2 Samuel 2:27: 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. (o) If you had not provoked them to battle, .
• Adam Clarke (Methodist), Clarke's Commentary on the Bible on 2 Samuel 2:27: And Joab said - The meaning of this verse appears to be this: If Abner had not provoked the battle, (see Sa2 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.