2 Samuel 3:37

37 So on that day all the troops and all Israel knew that it wasn't the king's idea to kill Abner, Ner's son.

2 Samuel 3:37 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 3:37

For all the people and all Israel understood that day
Not the people of Judah only, but of Israel also, to whom the knowledge of these things came; they knew and were satisfied by his conduct and behaviour, by his words and actions:

that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner;
it was not by the counsel or advice of the king, as the Targum; it was without his knowledge and consent, was contrary to his mind and will; that he had no manner of concern in it, and that if it had been in his power he would have prevented it.

2 Samuel 3:37 In-Context

35 Then all the soldiers came to urge David to eat something while it was still day, but David swore, "May God deal harshly with me and worse still if I eat bread or anything else before the sun goes down."

36 All the troops took notice of this and were pleased by it. Indeed, everything that the king did pleased them.

37 So on that day all the troops and all Israel knew that it wasn't the king's idea to kill Abner, Ner's son.

38 The king told his soldiers, "Don't you know that a prince and a great man in Israel has fallen today?

39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak. These men, Zeruiah's sons, are too strong for me. May the LORD repay the one who does evil according to the evil they did!"