2 Samuel 3:35 Meaning: David's Sorrow for Abner
All the people came to urge David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else, until the sun goes down.”
And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
And all the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David sware, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or aught else, till the sun be down.
And all the people come to cause David to eat bread while yet day, and David sweareth, saying, `Thus doth God to me, and thus He doth add, for--before the going in of the sun, I taste no bread or any other thing.'
And 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!
Meaning in one sentence
Why did David swear to fast until sunset when mourning Abner? This verse shows his genuine grief and integrity even toward a former enemy.
Context
Abner had been the commander of Saul's army and a bitter enemy to David for years. But he had recently come to make peace, and David welcomed him. Then Joab, David's own general, murdered Abner in cold blood. Now David is walking behind Abner's coffin, weeping openly. The people see their king mourning a man who was once his enemy. They bring food to comfort him, as custom required after a funeral. But David refuses. He makes a solemn promise to God that he will not eat until the sun goes down. This is no small gesture. It is a public statement that he grieves sincerely, that he had no part in this killing, and that he honors a fallen leader of Israel.
Key Words
The word for 'bread' here, lechem, is the everyday Hebrew word for food in general. David is not just refusing a loaf; he is refusing all sustenance. And the verb 'taste', ta'am, means to perceive with the senses, even a single bite would break his fast. He makes his refusal absolute by adding an oath: shava, to swear by God Himself. This shows how deeply he means it. He calls on God to witness his sorrow, and he will not let any comfort ease it until the day ends. This was the pattern of mourning: fast until sunset, then the fast ended. David is following the custom, but he is also making sure everyone sees his heart is true.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen this verse as highlighting David's sincere grief. The Geneva Bible notes simply that David refused to eat. Matthew Henry points out that David's mourning showed his innocence in Abner's death. Gill adds that it was customary to bring food to the grieving, but David refused even that comfort. The Cambridge Bible explains that fasting until sunset was the regular way to end a period of mourning. All these readings agree: David's fast was a genuine expression of sorrow and a mark of his character.
A common misunderstanding
Some might read this and think David was being dramatic or making a rash vow. In fact, his fast was the expected practice for deep mourning in ancient Israel. He was doing what was right and proper, and he was also making it clear to everyone that he had no part in Abner's death. His integrity was on display as much as his grief.
Living This Out
David did not try to hide his grief or rush past it. He let the people see his sorrow, and he honored Abner publicly. This week, if you are carrying a loss, give yourself permission to grieve honestly. You don't have to perform comfort. And if you find yourself in a situation where your integrity is questioned, let your actions, even your refusals, speak for you, just as David's did.
Main takeaway: David's refusal to eat showed his genuine sorrow and his determination to honor Abner even in death.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When David was very sad, his friends brought him food. But he said, “I won’t eat until the sun goes down.” That showed how much he missed his friend.
For ages 9, 12
David was mourning the death of Abner, who had once been his enemy but had become his ally. To show how truly sorry he was, David refused to eat all day. He wanted everyone to know that he had not wanted Abner to die. It was a way of honoring him and showing his own innocence in the matter.
Questions People Ask
Why did David take an oath not to eat?
David swore because he wanted to make his grief absolutely clear. The oath invoked God as witness, showing this was a serious, heartfelt commitment. He would not let anyone persuade him to break his fast until the proper time.
What does “God do so to me, and more also” mean?
This was a typical Hebrew oath formula. David was essentially saying, "May God punish me severely if I break this promise." It shows how determined he was to keep his word.
Was fasting when mourning a common practice?
Yes, in ancient Israel, fasting from sunrise to sunset was a regular part of mourning. It showed humility and sorrow. The fast ended at sunset, when it was appropriate to eat again.
Why did the people urge David to eat?
After a funeral, it was customary for friends to bring food to the mourners and to eat with them as a comfort. The people wanted to support their king in his grief by sharing a meal. David's refusal was unusual and made a strong statement.
How does this verse show David's character?
David's refusal to eat while mourning Abner showed his integrity. He did not want anyone to think he was happy about Abner's death, and he showed respect for a fallen leader. It demonstrated that David's grief was genuine, not just political.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study