30. Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.
31-32. David said to Joab and to all the people with Joab, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth. Cry for Abner.” They buried Abner in Hebron. David went to the funeral. King David and all the people cried at Abner’s grave.
33. King David sang this sad song at Abner’s funeral: “Did Abner die like some foolish criminal?
34. Abner, your hands were not tied. Your feet were not put in chains. No, Abner, evil men killed you!” Then all the people cried again for Abner.
35. All day long people came to encourage David to eat food. But David had made a special promise. He said, “May God punish me and give me many troubles if I eat bread or any other food before the sun goes down.”
36. All the people saw what happened, and they were pleased with what King David had done.
37. All the people of Judah and Israel understood that King David had not killed Abner son of Ner.
38. King David said to his officers, “You know that a very important leader died today in Israel.
39. And it was on the very same day that I was anointed to be the king. These sons of Zeruiah have caused me a lot of trouble. May the Lord give them the punishment they deserve.”