2 Samuel 3:37

For all the people, and all Israel vnderstood that day, that it was not of the King to slay Abner the sonne of Ner.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been {the will} of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
- American Standard Version (1901)

So it was clear to Israel and to all the people on that day that the king was not responsible for the death of Abner, the son of Ner.
- Basic English Bible

And all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to put Abner the son of Ner to death.
- Darby Bible

For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
- Webster's Bible

So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner.
- World English Bible

and all the people know, even all Israel, in that day, that it hath not been from the king -- to put to death Abner son of Ner.
- Youngs Literal Bible

So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for 2 Samuel 3:37

3:36 Pleased them - They were satisfied concerning David's integrity.

3:38 Know ye not, &c. - But how little, how mean are they made by death, who were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.

3:39 Weak - In the infancy of my kingdom, not well settled in it. The metaphor is taken from a young and tender child or plant. These men - Joab and Abishai, the sons of thy sister Zeruiah. Too hard - That is, too powerful. They have so great a command over all the soldiers, and so great favour with the people, that I cannot punish them without apparent hazard to my person and kingdom; especially, now when all the tribes, except Judah, are in a state of opposition against me. But although this might give some colour to the delay of their punishment, yet it was a fault that he did not do it within some reasonable time, both because this indulgence proceeded from a distrust of God's power and faithfulness; as if God could not make good his promise to him, against Joab and all his confederates; and because it was contrary to God's law, which severally requires the punishment of willful murderers. It was therefore carnal wicked policy, yea cruel pity that spared him. If the law had had its course against Joab, it is probable the murder of Ishbosheth, Ammon, and others, had been prevented. So truly was he in these, and some other respects, a bloody man, which may be observed to the glory of the Divine grace, in his forgiveness and conversion.