2 Samuel 3:27-39

27Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.

28Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “My kingdom and I are guiltless before the Lord forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

29Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”

30So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

31Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.” And King David followed the coffin.

32So 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 sang a lament over Abner and said: “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

34Your hands were not bound Nor your feet put into fetters; As a man falls before wicked men, so you fell.” Then all the people wept over him again.

35And when all the people came to persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!”

36Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people.

37For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s intent to kill Abner the son of Ner.

38Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?

39And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too harsh for me. The Lord shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness.”