2 Samuel 3:32-39 ▼

32 They buried Abner at Hebron. The king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.

33 The king lamented for Abner, saying, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

34 Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered; as one falls before the wicked you have fallen.” And all the people wept over him again.

35 Then all the people came to persuade David to eat something while it was still day; but David swore, saying, “So may God do to me, and more, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down!”

36 All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them; just as everything the king did pleased all the people.

37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that the king had no part in the killing of Abner son of Ner.

38 And the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?

39 Today I am powerless, even though anointed king; these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too violent for me. The LORD pay back the one who does wickedly in accordance with his wickedness!”