Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Samuel 2:14

"And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men, I pray thee, arise and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise." — 2 Samuel 2:14 (ASV)

Play - (1 Samuel 18:7). Here, the word is applied to the serious game of war, to be played by twelve combatants on each side, with the two armies as spectators.