שמואל ב, פרק ב׳, פסוק כ״ט

The aftermath of a fierce battle often demands immediate and exhausting retreats to secure safety and prevent further loss. Following a failed military campaign, a defeated army must navigate difficult terrain under the cover of darkness to escape enemy pursuit. Abner's retreat signals the collapse of his attempt to expand Ish-bosheth's rule into the territory of Benjamin, specifically around Gibeon. The forces loyal to David, who controlled Judah, successfully pushed Abner and his men eastward, driving them across the Jordan River and forcing them to return to their base in Mahanaim [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This grueling journey took place entirely at night, driven by strict military caution. Experienced warriors understand the danger of resting complacently immediately after a clash [אברבנאל]. More specifically, Abner was terrified of a sudden strike by Joab [מצודת דוד]. Having killed Joab's brother Asahel during the battle, Abner had good reason to fear a nighttime pursuit fueled by a desire for blood revenge [אברבנאל]. In fact, this restless night defined both warring camps, as each side avoided sleep due to a mutual dread of a retaliatory ambush [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].

The retreat followed a specific geographical path. The men initially traveled through the flat plain region [מצודת ציון]. After crossing the Jordan River, they moved through an area known as Bithron. The primary approach among commentators is that this was the formal name of a district or border zone located across the Jordan [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. Alternatively, the name may describe the physical landscape itself, referring to a valley that cuts directly through the terrain along their escape route back to Mahanaim [ביאור שטיינזלץ].