2 Samuel 3:36

All the people took note and were pleased. In fact, everything the king did pleased them.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The narrator records the Israelite troops and general populace immediately following David’s public oath to fast until sunset. This moment occurs in the direct aftermath of Abner’s death, as David publicly distances himself from the assassination.

The words — The Hebrew הִכִּ֔ירוּ (hi.Ki.ru) literally means "they paid regard" or recognized, while וַ/יִּיטַ֖ב (va/i.yi.Tav) translates to "it was good" or "pleased." These terms frame the people’s direct assessment of David’s conduct.

The thread — The pattern of crowds affirming a leader’s actions appears in Mark 7:37, where observers note Jesus’ works, and in 2 Samuel 15:6, where Absalom’s methodical approach wins over petitioners.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to separate verified integrity from manufactured consensus before accepting public approval. Evaluators must determine whether endorsement follows demonstrated accountability or strategic influence.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְכָל־ve./kholand/ all הָעָ֣םha./'Amthe/ people הִכִּ֔ירוּhi.Ki.ruthey paid regard וַיִּיטַ֖בva/i.yi.Tavand/ it was good בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑םbe./'ei.nei./Hemin/ view/ their כְּכֹל֙ke./Khollike/ all אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sherthat עָשָׂ֣ה'a.Sahhe did הַמֶּ֔לֶךְha./Me.lekhthe/ king בְּעֵינֵ֥יbe./'ei.Neiin/ [the] eyes of כָל־khol-all הָעָ֖םha./'Amthe/ people טֽוֹב׃Tovit was good

King James Version

And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

Cross-references

Mark 7:37 The people were utterly astonished and said, “He has done all things well! He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak!”
2 Samuel 15:6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Psalms 62:9 Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.
Mark 15:11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.
2 Samuel 15:13 Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”