35 They came to encourage David to eat while it was still day. But he made a promise, saying, “May God punish me terribly if I eat bread or anything else before the sun sets!”
36 All the people saw what happened, and they agreed with what the king was doing, just as they agreed with everything he did.
37 That day all the people of Judah and Israel understood that David did not order the killing of Abner son of Ner.
38 David said to his officers, “You know that a great man died today in Israel.
39 Even though I am the appointed king, I feel empty. These sons of Zeruiah are too much for me. May the Lord give them the punishment they should have.”