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2 Samuel 3:31-39
Expanded Bible
2 Samuel 3:31-39
Expanded Bible
31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people with Joab, “Tear your clothes and put on ·rough cloth [sackcloth; burlap; C a sign of mourning or distress]. ·Cry […lament; mourn] for Abner.” King David himself followed the ·body of Abner [L bier]. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and David and all the people cried at Abner’s grave.
33 King David ·sang [chanted; intoned; or composed] this ·funeral song [lament] for Abner.
“·Did [Should] Abner ·die [have died] like a fool?
34 ·His [L Your] hands were not tied.
·His [L Your] feet were not ·in chains [fettered].
·He [L You] fell ·at the hands of [as one falls before] evil men.”
Then all the people cried again for Abner. 35 They came to ·encourage [persuade] David to eat while it was still day. But he made a ·promise [vow], saying, “May God ·punish me terribly [deal severely with me] if I ·eat [taste] bread or anything else before the sun sets!”
36 All the people ·saw what happened [took note], and ·they agreed with what the king was doing [it pleased them; L it was good in their eyes], just as they ·agreed [were pleased] with everything ·he [L the king] did. 37 That day all the ·people of Judah [L people; C likely a reference to the people of Judah] and Israel understood that David ·did not order [had no part in] the killing of Abner son of Ner.
38 David said to his ·officers [L servants], “[L Don’t…?] You know that a [L prince and a] great man died today in Israel. 39 Even though I am the ·appointed [anointed] king, I ·feel empty [am weak/powerless]. These sons of Zeruiah are too ·much [strong; difficult] for me. May the Lord ·give them the punishment they should have [L repay the evildoer as his evil deserves].”
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2 Samuel 3:31-39
New International Version
2 Samuel 3:31-39
New International Version
31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth(A) and walk in mourning(B) in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept(C) aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also.
33 The king sang this lament(D) for Abner:
“Should Abner have died as the lawless die?
34 Your hands were not bound,
your feet were not fettered.(E)
You fell as one falls before the wicked.”
And all the people wept over him again.
35 Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,(F) if I taste bread(G) or anything else before the sun sets!”
36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. 37 So on that day all the people there and all Israel knew that the king had no part(H) in the murder of Abner son of Ner.
38 Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen(I) in Israel this day? 39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah(J) are too strong(K) for me.(L) May the Lord repay(M) the evildoer according to his evil deeds!”
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