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