2 Samuel 3:34
Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
David uttered this lament as chief mourner at Abner's grave on the day of burial, after keeping a fast through the day. He required the whole army, with Joab himself at its head, to take part in the mourning in torn garments and sackcloth. The setting made the lament a public, royal act of mourning led by the king in person. Its sense is that Abner did not die with hands bound and feet in fetters like a condemned wrongdoer meeting a just sentence. He fell as a man falls before wicked men, struck down by treacherous assault and murder as a victim overcome by evil men.
By these words David gave Abner public honor in his burial. He also showed his own grief and horror at the bloody deed. At the same time he declared himself and his kingdom guiltless of Abner's blood. The words were also a sharp rebuke upon Joab and his house, with Abishai joined with him in the guilt. David could not then visit them with just punishment because the kingdom was still unsettled and because of their power and position.