2 samuel 3:35 - 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.”
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What does "2 samuel 3:35" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 3:35 reveals a lot about David's character and the situation surrounding the death of Abner. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"All the people came to urge David to eat bread while it was yet day...": This indicates that Abner, a significant figure in Israel, had just died. People were in mourning. They likely recognized that David, as the king, needed to sustain himself, and so they encouraged him to eat something. It was customary to fast during a period of mourning.
"...but David swore, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, until the sun goes down.”": This is the crucial part. David's oath is a solemn and binding vow. By invoking God ("God do so to me, and more also"), he's essentially saying:
"May God punish me severely (and even more severely) if I break this vow."
His vow is to abstain from food ("bread, or anything else") until the sun sets. This means he will fast for the remainder of the day.
Meaning and Significance:
Deep Mourning: David's refusal to eat shows the depth of his grief and mourning for Abner. Despite Abner's past actions (he had supported Ishbosheth, a rival to David's claim to the throne), David recognized Abner's importance and the loss his death represented for Israel. It's a public display of respect and sorrow.
Public Declaration of Innocence: There was a degree of suspicion surrounding Abner's death. Joab, David's commander, had killed Abner in revenge for the death of his brother, Asahel. By fasting and publicly mourning, David was likely trying to demonstrate that he had no part in Abner's assassination and that he was genuinely saddened by the loss. He wanted to distance himself from any complicity and show the people that he valued Abner.
Political Savvy: David understood the political implications of Abner's death. Abner was a powerful and influential figure. David needed to win over the people who had supported Abner. Mourning publicly was a way to gain their trust and show them that he was a just and compassionate leader, worthy of their allegiance.
Respect for Justice: David, despite being the king, could not bring Joab to justice due to Joab's influence and popularity with the army. By abstaining from food, it could be viewed as a way of humbling himself before God in the face of injustice, since he was unable to dispense justice in a way that would be satisfying.
In summary, David's fasting was a carefully calculated act of grief, a public declaration of innocence, and a politically astute move to consolidate his power and unite Israel. It shows his understanding of the importance of both religious and political symbolism.
2 samuel 3:35 - 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.”
What does "2 samuel 3:35" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 3:35 reveals a lot about David's character and the situation surrounding the death of Abner. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"All the people came to urge David to eat bread while it was yet day...": This indicates that Abner, a significant figure in Israel, had just died. People were in mourning. They likely recognized that David, as the king, needed to sustain himself, and so they encouraged him to eat something. It was customary to fast during a period of mourning.
"...but David swore, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, until the sun goes down.”": This is the crucial part. David's oath is a solemn and binding vow. By invoking God ("God do so to me, and more also"), he's essentially saying:
"May God punish me severely (and even more severely) if I break this vow."
His vow is to abstain from food ("bread, or anything else") until the sun sets. This means he will fast for the remainder of the day.
Meaning and Significance:
Deep Mourning: David's refusal to eat shows the depth of his grief and mourning for Abner. Despite Abner's past actions (he had supported Ishbosheth, a rival to David's claim to the throne), David recognized Abner's importance and the loss his death represented for Israel. It's a public display of respect and sorrow.
Public Declaration of Innocence: There was a degree of suspicion surrounding Abner's death. Joab, David's commander, had killed Abner in revenge for the death of his brother, Asahel. By fasting and publicly mourning, David was likely trying to demonstrate that he had no part in Abner's assassination and that he was genuinely saddened by the loss. He wanted to distance himself from any complicity and show the people that he valued Abner.
Political Savvy: David understood the political implications of Abner's death. Abner was a powerful and influential figure. David needed to win over the people who had supported Abner. Mourning publicly was a way to gain their trust and show them that he was a just and compassionate leader, worthy of their allegiance.
Respect for Justice: David, despite being the king, could not bring Joab to justice due to Joab's influence and popularity with the army. By abstaining from food, it could be viewed as a way of humbling himself before God in the face of injustice, since he was unable to dispense justice in a way that would be satisfying.
In summary, David's fasting was a carefully calculated act of grief, a public declaration of innocence, and a politically astute move to consolidate his power and unite Israel. It shows his understanding of the importance of both religious and political symbolism.