2 Samuel 3:35

33 And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool?

34 Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. As a man falls before the wicked, so also you fell.” And all the people wept over him even more.

Then all the people came and urged David to eat something while it was still day, but David took an oath, saying, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!”

36 All the people took note and were pleased. In fact, everything the king did pleased them.

37 So on that day all the troops and all Israel were convinced that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Then all the people came and urged David to eat something while it was still day, but David took an oath, saying, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!”
KJV
And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
WEB
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.”
ASV
And all the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David sware, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or aught else, till the sun be down.
DARBY
And all the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread or aught else till the sun be down!
BLB
And all the people came to persuade David to eat food while it was still the day, and David took an oath, saying, “So do to me God, and thus may he continue for, if before the face of the sun goes down, I taste bread or any other thing.”
ÅB
Så kom alt folket for å få David til å ta mat til seg mens det enda var dag. Men David svor: Gud la det gå meg ille både nå og siden om jeg smaker brød eller noe annet før solen går ned!
OTB
Da kom hele folket for å gi mat til David i hans nød, men David sverget og sa, "Måtte Gud gjøre slik mot meg, og mer også, hvis jeg smaker brød eller noe annet før solen går ned."
B1930
Så kom alt folket for å få David til å ta mat til sig mens det ennu var dag. Men David svor: Gud la det gå mig ille både nu og siden om jeg smaker brød eller noget annet før solen går ned!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 1:12

    They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 12:17

    The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.

    Read in context
  • Ruth 1:17

    Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 16:7

    No food will be offered to comfort those who mourn the dead; not even a cup of consolation will be given for the loss of a father or mother.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 24:17

    Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.”

    Read in context
  • Judges 20:26

    Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 24:22

    Then you will do as I have done: You will not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 3:9

    May God punish Abner, and ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD has sworn to him:

    Read in context