31 Then David instructed Yoav and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn for Abner.” Later at the funeral, King David walked behind the coffin 32 and they buried Abner in Hebron. The king cried loudly at the tomb, and the people also wept. 33 The king sang this song for Abner:

“Abner shouldn’t have died as if he was just some drunken fool.

34 He wasn’t handcuffed or with his feet in chains.

He fell like someone disturbing a burglar.”

And so the people wept even more for him.

35 Many people brought food to David during the day, but he promised, “May God severely punish me if I eat anything before the sun goes down.” 36 All the people recognised David’s dignity in handling this matter and were pleased with his behaviour, just as they were pleased with everything that the king did, 37 and everyone throughout Israel knew that the king hadn’t ordered for Abner (Ner’s son) to be executed. 38 Then the king told his servants, “Don’t you all realise that Israel lost a leader and a great man today? 39 Although I was anointed as king, I feel tender today. Those sons of Zeruyah are more violent than me. May Yahweh repay evil people appropriately for their actions.”