2 Samuel 3:28-39 ▼

28 And when afterwarde it came to Dauids eare, he sayde: I and my kingdome are giltlesse before the Lord for euer concerning the blood of Abner the sonne of Ner.

29 Let the blood fall on the head of Ioab and on all his fathers house, that the house of Ioab be neuer without one or other that hath running issues or leper, or that leaneth on a staffe, or that doth fall on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

30 (So Ioab & Abisai his brother slue Abner, because he had slayne their brother Asahel at Gibeon in battell.)

31 And Dauid sayde to Ioab and to all the people that were with him: Rent your clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourne before Abner. And king Dauid him selfe folowed the beere.

32 And when they buried Abner in Hebron, the king lift vp his voyce, & wept besyde the sepulchre of Abner, and al the people wept.

33 And the king lamented ouer Abner, and sayde: Died Abner as a foole dieth?

34 Thy handes were not bounde, nor thy feete brought into fetters of brasse: but as a man falleth before wicked children, so fellest thou. And all they that were of the people, wept yet more ouer him.

35 And when all the people came to cause Dauid eate meate whyle it was yet day, Dauid sware, saying: So do God to me and more also, if I taste bread or ought els tyll the sunne be downe.

36 And all the people wist it, and it pleased them: as whatsoeuer the king did, pleased all the people.

37 For all the people and all Israel vnderstoode that day, how that it was not the kinges deede that Abner the sonne of Ner was slayne.

38 And the king said vnto his seruauntes: Knowe ye not howe that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

39 And I am this day tender and newly annoynted king, and these men the sonnes of Zaruia be to hard for me: The Lorde rewarde the doer of euyll, according to his wickednesse.