שמואל ב, פרק ג׳, פסוק ל״ז

The public recognition of King David’s innocence regarding the death of Abner did not happen in a vacuum. It was established through a series of public acts of mourning, making it clear that no command or directive had ever been issued by David to carry out the assassination [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This understanding grew through a gradual process. Each of David's reactions, from cursing Joab to walking behind the funeral bier, weeping, and offering a lament, served as mounting evidence that he had no part in planning the murder. However, while these actions proved he did not order the killing, it was his final act of refusing to eat that demonstrated the true depth of his sorrow [אלשיך].

A clear distinction emerges between two different groups who were convinced of the king's innocence: the immediate crowd and the wider nation. The first group consisted of those physically present who witnessed David's mourning firsthand. The second group encompassed the rest of the nation, who were scattered in their own towns and had to rely entirely on reports and rumors. Naturally, people who are not present at an event usually require time and a steady accumulation of evidence over several days to fully believe in a leader's pure intentions. Yet, David’s sincerity left such a powerful impression that even the distant public, who only heard the news from afar, became completely convinced of his innocence on that exact same day. There was no need for time to pass or for further proof to emerge [אלשיך].