John Gill Commentary 2 Samuel 3:17

"And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, In times past ye sought for David to be king over you:" — 2 Samuel 3:17 (ASV)

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel
Had a conference with the chiefs of the several tribes about the affairs of the kingdom:

saying, you sought for David in time past [to be] king over you ;
that is, at the death of Saul, and not before; for it was pretty generally known throughout the kingdom that David was anointed by Samuel and Saul himself had declared that he knew the kingdom would come to him; so that upon his death it was the general expectation and desire of the people that the government would devolve upon him, as it doubtless would, if Abner had not set up one of Saul's house, and persuaded the Israelites to own him their king.