שמואל ב, פרק ב׳, פסוק כ״ח

The bitter conflict finally reaches a sudden halt. A clear command brings the bloodshed to an immediate end, marked by the piercing sound of a ram's horn. By sounding the horn, Joab issues a public declaration of a ceasefire, signaling his men to retreat and abandon the chase [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This cessation of hostilities unfolds on two distinct levels. First, the men stop hunting down the scattered, fleeing soldiers. Second, they actively avoid launching a new frontal assault against the organized forces that have already regrouped and stand ready to resume the clash [מלבי״ם].

With the blast of the horn, the battle concludes entirely for the time being. Rather than pressing the fight, both sides shift their focus to returning home as swiftly as possible. A deep sense of urgency takes over, driven by the mutual fear that the opposing camp might suddenly resume the pursuit. Consequently, both Abner's and Joab's armies rush away from the battlefield, marching through the darkness of the entire night to secure their escape [רלב״ג].