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.
When all the people came to encourage David to eat food while it was still daytime, David made a solemn promise, saying, 'May God punish me severely if I eat bread or anything else before the sun goes down.'
David is making a solemn vow to fast until evening, refusing to eat despite people urging him to do so.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative, this verse occurs during a period of political instability in ancient Israel after the death of King Saul, as David was establishing his rule. Abner, a military leader loyal to Saul, had switched allegiance to David but was murdered by David's commander Joab, leading to public suspicion. David's refusal to eat until sunset was a way to publicly mourn Abner and affirm his own innocence in the matter, helping to maintain unity among his followers.
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