36. This pleased the people very much. In fact, everything the king did pleased them!
37. So everyone in Judah and all Israel understood that David was not responsible for Abner’s murder.
38. Then King David said to his officials, “Don’t you realize that a great commander has fallen today in Israel?
39. And even though I am the anointed king, these two sons of Zeruiah—Joab and Abishai—are too strong for me to control. So may the lord repay these evil men for their evil deeds.”