New International Reader's Version

2 Samuel 3:30-36 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

30. Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner. They did it because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

31. David spoke to Joab and all of the people who were with him. He said, "Tear your clothes. Put on black clothes. Sob when you walk in front of Abner's body." King David himself walked behind it.

32. Abner's body was buried in Hebron. The king sobbed out loud at Abner's tomb. So did the rest of the people.

33. King David sang a song of sadness over Abner. He said, "Should Abner have died as sinful people do?

34. His hands were not tied. His feet were not chained. He died as if he had been killed by evil people." All of the people sobbed over Abner again.

35. Then all of them came and begged David to eat something. They wanted him to eat while it was still day. But David took an oath. He said, "I won't taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down. If I do, may God punish me greatly!"

36. All of the people heard it and were pleased. In fact, everything the king did pleased them.