36. All the people noticed this and it pleased them. In fact, everything the king did pleased all the people.
37. All the people and all Israel realized on that day that the killing of Abner son of Ner was not done at the king’s instigation.
38. Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not realize that a great leader has fallen this day in Israel?
39. Today I am weak, even though I am anointed as king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too much for me to bear! May the Lord punish appropriately the one who has done this evil thing!”