[3:31] Then David ordered Joab and his men to tear their clothes, wear sackcloth, and mourn for Abner. And at the funeral King David himself walked behind the coffin.
[3:32] Abner was buried at Hebron, and the king wept aloud at the grave, and so did all the people.
[3:33] David sang this lament for Abner: “Why did Abner have to die like a fool?
[3:34] His hands were not tied, And his feet were not bound; He died like someone killed by criminals!” And the people wept for him again.
[3:35] All day long the people tried to get David to eat something, but he made a solemn promise, “May God strike me dead if I eat anything before the day is over!”
[3:36] They took note of this and were pleased. Indeed, everything the king did pleased the people.
[3:37] All of David's people and all the people in Israel understood that the king had no part in the murder of Abner.
[3:38] The king said to his officials, “Don't you realize that this day a great leader in Israel has died?
[3:39] Even though I am the king chosen by God, I feel weak today. These sons of Zeruiah are too violent for me. May the Lord punish these criminals as they deserve!”