This verse from 2 Samuel 3:36 is referring to the public reaction to King David's genuine mourning and grief over the death of Abner. Abner was a powerful commander in the army of Ish-bosheth (Saul's son and a rival to David for the kingship). He later switched allegiance to David, which was seen as a major step toward unifying Israel.
Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"All the people took notice of it...": The verse highlights that David's actions were observed by everyone – the general population of Israel. They were paying attention to how David, their king, was reacting to Abner's death.
"...and it pleased them...": The key here is "pleased." David's open display of mourning and respect for Abner resonated positively with the people. It suggests that they saw:
Sincerity: They believed David was genuinely saddened by Abner's death.
Justice: They saw that David was treating Abner with honor, even though Abner had previously been an enemy.
Wisdom: They recognized that David understood the importance of Abner's role in unifying the kingdom and was showing respect to a powerful figure.
Humility: Despite being king, David showed empathy and grief, which made him relatable to the people.
"...as whatever the king did pleased all the people.": This is a strong statement emphasizing David's popularity and the people's trust in him at this point. It implies that David had consistently acted in ways that demonstrated good leadership, integrity, and concern for his people. This line amplifies that David's actions regarding Abner's death further solidified his image as a good leader.
In essence, the verse conveys that David's response to Abner's death (his genuine grief and honorable treatment of Abner) was a politically astute move that also reflected well on his character. It solidified his position as a leader the people respected and trusted, fostering unity and support for his kingship.
The fact that it pleased all the people is likely a bit of hyperbole for emphasis, but it still emphasizes that David successfully showed that he was fit to rule. Showing he valued and mourned for a previously enemy, further solidifed this unity.
This verse from 2 Samuel 3:36 is referring to the public reaction to King David's genuine mourning and grief over the death of Abner. Abner was a powerful commander in the army of Ish-bosheth (Saul's son and a rival to David for the kingship). He later switched allegiance to David, which was seen as a major step toward unifying Israel.
Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"All the people took notice of it...": The verse highlights that David's actions were observed by everyone – the general population of Israel. They were paying attention to how David, their king, was reacting to Abner's death.
"...and it pleased them...": The key here is "pleased." David's open display of mourning and respect for Abner resonated positively with the people. It suggests that they saw:
Sincerity: They believed David was genuinely saddened by Abner's death.
Justice: They saw that David was treating Abner with honor, even though Abner had previously been an enemy.
Wisdom: They recognized that David understood the importance of Abner's role in unifying the kingdom and was showing respect to a powerful figure.
Humility: Despite being king, David showed empathy and grief, which made him relatable to the people.
"...as whatever the king did pleased all the people.": This is a strong statement emphasizing David's popularity and the people's trust in him at this point. It implies that David had consistently acted in ways that demonstrated good leadership, integrity, and concern for his people. This line amplifies that David's actions regarding Abner's death further solidified his image as a good leader.
In essence, the verse conveys that David's response to Abner's death (his genuine grief and honorable treatment of Abner) was a politically astute move that also reflected well on his character. It solidified his position as a leader the people respected and trusted, fostering unity and support for his kingship.
The fact that it pleased all the people is likely a bit of hyperbole for emphasis, but it still emphasizes that David successfully showed that he was fit to rule. Showing he valued and mourned for a previously enemy, further solidifed this unity.