II Samuel 3:35
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Then all the people came and urged David to eat something while it was still day, but David took an oath, saying, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
"And the war became long (was protracted) between the house of Saul and the house of David; but David became stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul weaker and weaker." הלך, when connected with another verb or with an adjective, expresses the idea of the gradual progress of an affair (vid., Ges. 131, 3, Anm. 3). The historian sums up in these words the historical course of the two royal houses, as they stood opposed to one another. "The war" does not mean continual fighting, but the state of hostility or war in which they continued to stand towards one another. They concluded no peace, so that David was not recognised by Ishbosheth as king, any more than Ishbosheth by David. Not only is there nothing said about any continuance of actual warfare by Abner or Ishbosheth after the loss of the battle at Gibeon, but such a thing was very improbable in itself, as Ishbosheth was too weak to be able to carry on the war, whilst David waited with firm reliance upon the promise of the Lord, until all Israel should come over to him.
Open source ↗The battle between Joab and Abner did not end the controversy between the two houses of Saul and David, but it is in this chapter working towards a period. Here is, I. The gradual advance of David's interest (Sa2 3:1). II. The building up of his family (Sa2 3:2-5). III. Abner's quarrel with Ish-bosheth, and his treaty with David (Sa2 3:6-12). IV. The preliminaries settled (Sa2 3:13-16). V. Abner's undertaking and attempt to bring Israel over to David (Sa2 3:17-21). VI. The treacherous murder of Abner by Joab, when he was carrying on this matter (Sa2 3:22-27). VII. David's great concern and trouble for the death of Abner (Sa2 3:28-39).
Open source ↗3:35 begged him to eat: See also 12:17.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.
They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
No food will be offered to comfort those who mourn the dead; not even a cup of consolation will be given for the loss of a father or mother.
Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.”
Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.
Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.
May God punish Abner, and ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD has sworn to him:
“What was the message He gave you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God punish you, and ever so severely, if you hide from me anything He said to you.”