2 Samuel 3:35

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when all {H3605} the people {H5971} came {H935} to cause {H1262} David {H1732} to eat {H1262} meat {H3899} while it was yet {H5750} day {H3117}, David {H1732} sware {H7650}, saying {H559}, So do {H6213} God {H430} to me, and more also {H3254}, if I taste {H2938} bread {H3899}, or ought {H3972} else, till {H6440} the sun {H8121} be down {H935}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the people came to David and tried to make him eat some bread while it was still daytime; but David swore, "May God bring terrible curses on me and worse ones yet if I taste bread or anything else until the sun goes down."

Berean Standard Bible

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!”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Samuel 3:35, King David, in a profound public display of grief and a strategic act of self-distancing from the murder of Abner, refuses to break his fast despite the people's urging. He solemnly swears an oath, invoking divine judgment upon himself if he were to partake of any food or drink before sundown, thereby emphatically declaring his innocence and abhorrence of the treachery committed by Joab. This act underscores David's personal integrity, his deep sorrow, and his astute political leadership in a volatile period of consolidating his kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of David's ascent to the throne of all Israel, immediately following the treacherous assassination of Abner by Joab, David's commander. Abner, the former commander of Saul's army, had recently defected to David's side, promising to bring all Israel under David's rule ([2 Samuel 3:12](/2_samuel/3-12 "2 Samuel 3:12 - Abner's Offer to David")). His murder by Joab, ostensibly in revenge for Asahel's death ([2 Samuel 3:27](/2_samuel/3-27 "2 Samuel 3:27 - Joab Kills Abner")), threatened to undermine David's legitimacy and alienate the northern tribes who were beginning to rally behind him. David's public lament for Abner in [2 Samuel 3:31-34](/2_samuel/3-31 "2 Samuel 3:31-34 - David's Mourning for Abner") and his subsequent refusal to eat are crucial demonstrations of his innocence and grief, designed to reassure the people and maintain his moral authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, fasting was a common practice associated with deep mourning, repentance, or intense supplication. It was customary for mourners to abstain from food, and for friends or community members to offer food to break the fast after a period of lament. David's refusal to accept this customary comfort, coupled with his solemn oath, was a powerful public statement. Oaths in the ancient Near East were not taken lightly; they were binding commitments, often invoking divine judgment upon the oath-taker if the vow was broken. For David, a king seeking to unite a fractured nation, demonstrating his non-complicity in Abner's murder was paramount for political stability and public trust, especially given the blood feud customs of the time.
* **Key Themes:** The verse vividly illustrates several key themes prevalent in the book of Samuel. David's profound sorrow and public mourning highlight the theme of **grief and lament**, a recurring motif for David, as seen in his lament over Saul and Jonathan ([2 Samuel 1:17-27](/2_samuel/1-17 "2 Samuel 1:17-27 - David's Lament for Saul and Jonathan")). It also underscores the theme of **integrity and justice** in leadership, as David goes to great lengths to distance himself from Joab's heinous act, emphasizing his commitment to righteous governance even when his own general acts treacherously. Furthermore, the weight and seriousness of **oaths and covenants** are brought to the fore, demonstrating how seriously such vows were regarded in the biblical world and how they shaped personal and political conduct. David's actions here are a testament to his understanding of his role as a king who must be perceived as just and honorable by his people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** In the King James Version, "meat" here refers to food in general, not specifically animal flesh. The Hebrew word _lechem_ primarily means "bread" but is often used metonymically for any kind of food or sustenance, as in "daily bread." David's refusal to eat "bread, or ought else" reinforces this broad meaning, indicating a complete fast from all nourishment.
* **Sware (Hebrew, _shava'_):** This verb signifies "to swear, to take an oath." It denotes a solemn declaration, often invoking a divine witness or sanction. David's act of swearing was a formal, binding commitment, not a casual promise, and was understood by all present to carry immense weight and potential divine consequences if broken.
* **So do God to me, and more also (Hebrew, _koh ya'aseh li Elohim v'koh yosif'_):** This is a common and powerful oath formula in the Old Testament, indicating a self-imprecation. The speaker calls upon God to inflict severe punishment upon them, and even "more also," if they fail to uphold their vow. It is an emphatic way of guaranteeing the truthfulness or commitment of the speaker, demonstrating the extreme seriousness with which David regarded his fast and his public declaration of innocence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day":** This clause sets the scene, highlighting the communal concern for David. The people, observing his deep mourning and fasting, attempted to persuade him to break his fast, likely offering him food as was customary for mourners. The phrase "while it was yet day" emphasizes the duration of David's fast, indicating he had been abstaining from food for a significant period, perhaps since Abner's death, and that the day was not yet over.
* **"David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also":** This is the core of David's response, a solemn and binding oath. By invoking God's name and calling for divine judgment upon himself, David elevates his refusal to eat from a personal act of grief to a public, religiously sanctioned declaration. This powerful formula underscored the absolute sincerity of his vow and his profound commitment to it.
* **"if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down":** This specifies the terms of David's oath. He vows not to consume any food or drink whatsoever until the day's end, symbolized by the setting of the sun. This complete abstinence was a public demonstration of his deep sorrow for Abner and, more critically, an emphatic denial of any complicity in his murder, ensuring that no one could suspect him of secretly celebrating Abner's demise.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is the **Oath Formula** ("So do God to me, and more also"), which is a conventional and highly effective means of conveying the speaker's absolute commitment and the gravity of the situation. This formula uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the intensity of David's vow, suggesting he would accept even greater divine punishment than could be imagined if he broke his word. The act of **Fasting** itself serves as a powerful **Symbolism** of David's profound grief and his public dissociation from the treachery. It is a visual and visceral demonstration of his innocence, communicating his abhorrence of the crime more effectively than words alone could. The narrative also employs **Dramatic Irony** in a subtle way, as the reader knows Joab's guilt, while David must publicly prove his own innocence, highlighting the political complexities and moral dilemmas of his reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's resolute refusal to eat, sealed with a solemn oath, serves as a powerful theological statement about integrity, justice, and the weight of a leader's actions. His public demonstration of grief for Abner, an adversary turned ally, was essential not only for political stability but also for upholding a righteous standard in the eyes of God and the people. David understood that true leadership, especially a kingship divinely appointed, required moral clarity and a visible commitment to justice, even when confronted with the heinous actions of his own trusted commanders. This act of self-denial and public vow was perceived by the people as a sign of his integrity and his respect for human life, reinforcing his position as a king after God's own heart, despite his later failings. It underscores the biblical principle that leaders are accountable for their actions and perceptions, and that righteous conduct is paramount for divine favor and human trust.

* [1 Samuel 20:13](/1_samuel/20-13 "1 Samuel 20:13 - Jonathan's Oath to David")
* [Ruth 1:17](/ruth/1-17 "Ruth 1:17 - Ruth's Vow to Naomi")
* [Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus on Oaths")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's actions in 2 Samuel 3:35 offer a profound lesson in leadership, integrity, and the appropriate response to injustice and grief. His refusal to eat, sealed by a public oath, was not merely a personal expression of sorrow but a strategic act to preserve his moral authority and unify a fractured kingdom. It demonstrates that true leadership often requires personal sacrifice, public transparency, and an unwavering commitment to justice, even when it means confronting difficult truths within one's own circle. For believers today, David's example encourages us to cultivate genuine empathy, to act with integrity in all our dealings, and to understand the weight of our words and commitments. It reminds us that our actions, especially in times of crisis or public scrutiny, speak volumes about our character and our values. Just as David sought to dispel suspicion through his self-denial, we are called to live lives that clearly reflect the righteousness and truth of God, demonstrating our faith not just in word but in deed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's public display of grief and his solemn oath challenge our understanding of leadership in times of crisis?**
* **In what ways can a leader's personal integrity and public actions impact the trust and unity of a community or organization?**
* **Considering David's strong oath, what does this verse teach us about the seriousness of our own commitments and promises, especially those made before God?**
* **How might we, like David, use self-denial or public declarations to stand for truth and justice in our own spheres of influence?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for David to make this public declaration and fast?**

Answer: It was critically important for several reasons. First, Abner's assassination by Joab, David's own general, created a significant political crisis. Abner was a powerful figure who was in the process of bringing the northern tribes, previously loyal to Saul, over to David's side ([2 Samuel 3:12](/2_samuel/3-12 "2 Samuel 3:12 - Abner's Offer to David")). If David were perceived as complicit in Abner's death, it would have shattered trust, alienated potential supporters, and likely plunged the nascent kingdom into further civil war. Second, David needed to publicly distance himself from Joab's treachery, which was a violation of ancient Near Eastern hospitality and a clear act of blood revenge without due process. By fasting and swearing an oath, David emphatically declared his innocence, his abhorrence of the crime, and his genuine grief, thus preserving his legitimacy and moral authority as king. This act was a powerful demonstration of his commitment to justice and his respect for human life, which resonated deeply with the people ([2 Samuel 3:36-37](/2_samuel/3-36 "2 Samuel 3:36-37 - The People's Approval of David's Actions")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While David's actions in 2 Samuel 3:35 demonstrate a powerful commitment to integrity and justice, they ultimately point to the perfect integrity and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. David, though a man after God's own heart, was limited by his humanity and the imperfections of his kingdom; he could only declare his innocence and mourn, but he could not truly atone for the sin and treachery that plagued his realm. In contrast, Jesus Christ, the true Son of David, perfectly embodied righteousness and justice, not merely declaring innocence but living a life utterly without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). While David fasted as a sign of grief and to prove his non-complicity, Christ's ultimate act of self-denial was His willing submission to the cross, where He became sin for us, though He knew no sin ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). David's oath was a human attempt to secure trust and demonstrate truth; Christ's very life and death are the divine guarantee of God's covenant promises, fulfilling all righteousness and securing eternal salvation for His people. He is the ultimate Lamb of God, whose sacrifice truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), a perfect act of justice and love that far surpasses any human declaration or fast.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.