And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them; as everything that the king did pleased all the people.
And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.”
Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Then all the people came to persuade 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 till the sun goes down!”
So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king's will to slay Abner the son of Ner.
Men of low estate are but a breath, men of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”