David did everything in his power to make it clear that he was not complicit in the death of Abner, and the people of Judah believed his innocence.1 Over time, as the story was relayed and recounted in the north, all Israel also came to understand that he was innocent of Abner’s blood. David’s actions were likely also motivated by politics in some way. He would have known that the death of Abner could have severely sabotaged relations with the northern tribes and he did not want this to happen.2 Even so, the emphasis of the passage is on his innocence and his genuine emotion. He did not act for show.
37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s will to put to death Abner the son of Ner.