All of the people recognized this, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did was pleasing to all of the people.
A messenger came to David and said, “The hearts of the men of Israel are following Absalom.”
Absalom acted this way toward every Israelite who came to the king for a judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Then all of the people came to persuade David to eat food while it was still day. But David took an oath, saying, “May God do to me, and more also, if I taste food or anything else before the sun sets.”
That very day, all of the people, all of Israel, understood that it was not ordered from the king to have Abner the son of Ner killed.
Surely men of low degree are but a vapor; men of high degree are a lie; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than vapor.
They were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”