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.
37. So on that day all of the people of Judah and Israel understood. They knew that the king didn't have anything to do with the murder of Abner, the son of Ner.
38. The king spoke to his men. He said, "Don't you realize that a great commander has died in Israel today?