2 Samuel 3:27–39

²⁷And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him secretly, and smote him there in the belly, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. ²⁸And afterwards David heard it, and he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Jehovah for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: ²⁹let it fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that has an issue, or that is a leper, or that leans on a staff, or that falls by the sword, or that lacks bread! ³⁰So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. ³¹And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David followed the bier. ³²And they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. ³³And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Should Abner die as a fool dieth? ³⁴Thy hands were not bound, Nor thy feet put into fetters; As a man falleth before wicked men, Fellest thou! And all the people wept again over him. ³⁵And all the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread or aught else till the sun be down! ³⁶And all the people remarked it, and it pleased them; as whatever the king did pleased all the people. ³⁷And all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death. ³⁸And the king said to his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? ³⁹And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too hard for me: Jehovah reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness!