2 Samuel 3:35-39

English Standard Version

³⁵ Then all the people came ^(A)to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, ^(B)“God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else ^(C)till the sun goes down!” ³⁶ And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people. ³⁷ So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king's will to put to death Abner the 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 And I was gentle today, though anointed king. ^(D)These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. ^(E)The Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!”