שמואל ב, פרק ג׳, פסוק ל״ה

The sudden death of a prominent leader often casts a heavy shadow of suspicion. Following the tragic murder of Abner, David adopts strict customs of mourning and fasting. This deliberate choice serves a dual purpose: to pay proper respects to the deceased and to publicly clear his own name of any involvement in the assassination.

While the sun is still shining bright in the sky [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ], the people approach David to offer him a comforting meal [רש״י]. Some commentators note that this was intended to be a modest, small portion of food [מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. A fascinating tradition reveals a deeper layer to this encounter. According to the Talmud and early scholars, a slight variation in the traditional text hints at a dramatic shift in the crowd's intentions. Initially, the people came with hostility, intending to destroy David because they suspected he was behind Abner's murder. However, once they recognized his complete innocence, their anger dissolved, and they sought to feed him instead. Conversely, other scholars maintain that the most accurate manuscripts show no such variation, indicating the people only ever came to offer food [מנחת שי, רד״ק].

Despite their offerings, David adamantly refuses to eat. He issues a solemn oath, using a common biblical expression [מצודת דוד] to invoke a severe self-curse. He declares that God should bring upon him the same violent fate that befell Abner, and even worse, if he were to eat [אברבנאל]. David commits to this vow, swearing that he will not taste bread or any other food until the sun sets and night falls [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This intense decision to fast stems from a few key reasons. First, Abner's immediate family was not present to mourn him. As a distant relative through marriage, David stepped in to fulfill the role of the primary mourner [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, it is a recognized custom to fast following the passing of great individuals. Through this public act of self-denial, David demonstrated his deep reverence for Abner, acknowledging him as a man of great spiritual and scholarly stature [מלבי״ם].

Ultimately, David's extreme reaction and absolute refusal to eat do not diminish his standing in the eyes of the nation. On the contrary, his actions resonate deeply with the people. His visible grief and strict fasting please them, cementing their trust in his pure intentions and confirming beyond a doubt that he had no hand in Abner's tragic murder [אברבנאל].