My kingdom and I are guiltless before the Lord… King David followed the coffin. 32 So they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept…
David’s Sons Born at Hebron. 3:2-5
Abner turns to David: 3:6-39. Ishbosheth accuses Abner of having sexual relations with one of Saul’s concubines. This is the same in that culture as a charge of treason. The angry Abner determines to bring all Israel over to David. Abner completes his compact with David.
17 Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, “In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you. 18 Now then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.’ ”
20 So Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.
24 Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you; why is it that you sent him away, and he has already gone? 25 Surely you realize that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you, to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”
But on the way home, he is assassinated by Joab. David mourns publicly, making it clear he does not condone murder.
28 Afterward, 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.
31 Then 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. 32 So they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.
36 Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people. 37 For 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.
39 And 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.”
–> David enters into a compact with Abner, his enemy Saul’s chief commander. David intends to abide by it. When he learned of Abner’s assassination, he publicly denounces it declaring that “I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever.”
Again, his focus is on the Lord — how He would judge the matter — and trusts that He will repay the evildoer according to his wickedness. David led his people with his strong faith and humility before God. He mourned for Saul and his sons and now his subordinate as well — all because they are the Lord’s anointed.
… King David followed the coffin. … And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.
And, all the people took note of it, and it pleased them. I would be pleased too if I have a leader like David — be it the president or a pastor.
