2 Samuel 15:30

KJV

And David went up by the ascent of [mount] Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that [was] with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} went up {H5927} by the ascent {H4608} of mount Olivet {H2132}, and wept {H1058} as he went up {H5927}, and had his head {H7218} covered {H2645}, and he went {H1980} barefoot {H3182}: and all the people {H5971} that was with him covered {H2645} every man {H376} his head {H7218}, and they went up {H5927}, weeping {H1058} as they went up {H5927}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David continued up the road to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up, head covered and barefoot; and all the people with him had their heads covered and wept as they went up.

Berean Standard Bible

But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.

American Standard Version

And David went up by the ascent of themount ofOlives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 15:30 paints a poignant picture of King David's profound sorrow and public humiliation as he flees Jerusalem during the rebellion led by his son, Absalom. This verse captures the raw agony of a once-mighty monarch stripped of his dignity, weeping openly, covering his head in shame, and walking barefoot in a profound display of grief and penitence. It also highlights the shared suffering and unwavering loyalty of his faithful entourage, who mirrored his distress as they ascended the Mount of Olives, collectively mourning the tragic turn of events.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal and tragic juncture in David's reign, immediately following Absalom's successful usurpation of the throne in Jerusalem. Having gathered popular support through cunning and manipulation (2 Samuel 15:1-6), Absalom's rebellion forces David into a desperate flight from his own capital. David's decision to leave Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:13-17), rather than engage in a civil war within its walls, underscores his desire to avoid further bloodshed and perhaps his recognition of divine judgment. His ascent of the Mount of Olives is part of this strategic, yet deeply humiliating, retreat, as he heads towards the wilderness beyond the Kidron Valley, hoping to regroup and understand God's will. The preceding verses detail the loyalty of Ittai the Gittite and the Ark of the Covenant being sent back to Jerusalem, setting the stage for David's personal lament.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Mount Olivet, or the Mount of Olives, is a prominent ridge east of Jerusalem, separated by the Kidron Valley. It served as a natural escape route eastward into the wilderness of Judah. In ancient Israel, the actions described in this verse—weeping, covering the head, and going barefoot—were deeply ingrained cultural expressions of profound mourning, humiliation, and penitence. Covering the head (often with a cloak) symbolized shame, disgrace, or overwhelming grief, a desire to hide from public view or from God's gaze. Walking barefoot signified destitution, humility, and deep affliction, often associated with a penitent posture before God or a state of utter loss. For a king, such public displays of vulnerability were extraordinary and underscored the depth of his personal and political catastrophe.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Samuel and the broader Davidic narrative. It vividly portrays **Profound Grief and Humiliation**, showing a king stripped of his regality and openly expressing his brokenness. It implicitly, yet strongly, points to the **Consequences of Sin**, particularly the fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy that "evil will arise against you from your own house" [2 Samuel 12:11](/2_samuel/12-11 "2 Samuel 12:11 - Nathan's Prophecy of Trouble in David's House"). David's flight is a direct, painful outworking of the turmoil sown within his family due to his transgressions with Bathsheba and Uriah. Furthermore, the collective sorrow of his followers highlights the theme of **Shared Suffering and Loyalty**, demonstrating the enduring faithfulness of those who chose to remain with their beleaguered king, even in his darkest hour. This scene also underscores the **Vulnerability of Leadership**, shattering the image of an invincible monarch and revealing David as a deeply human figure, subject to betrayal and personal anguish, yet still surrounded by divine providence and human allegiance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wept (Hebrew, _bāḵâ'_):** This verb signifies a deep, emotional crying, often accompanied by tears and lamentation. It's not merely shedding a few tears but a profound expression of sorrow, anguish, and distress. In David's context, it conveys the overwhelming weight of betrayal, loss of kingdom, and the tragic consequences of his past actions.
* **Had his head covered (Hebrew, _ḥāpâ'_):** This action, literally "to cover" or "to wrap up," was a widely recognized symbol of mourning, shame, or deep humiliation in the ancient Near East. It indicated a state of profound distress, often associated with a sense of disgrace, a desire to hide from public view, or a posture of submission to a higher power (God's judgment). For a king, whose head would normally be adorned with a crown or turban, this was an extraordinary and public act of self-abasement.
* **Barefoot (Hebrew, _yāḥēp'_):** This adjective describes a state of being without sandals or shoes. In ancient cultures, going barefoot was a sign of extreme poverty, destitution, humility, or deep mourning. It conveyed a complete lack of comfort and a profound sense of affliction. Prophetic figures sometimes walked barefoot as a sign of impending judgment or captivity (e.g., [Isaiah 20:2](/isaiah/20-2 "Isaiah 20:2 - Isaiah Walks Barefoot as a Sign")). For David, it underscored his utter brokenness and the stripping away of his royal dignity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David went up by the ascent of [mount] Olivet":** This clause establishes the specific geographical setting and David's direction of travel. Ascending the Mount of Olives, a prominent hill east of Jerusalem, signifies his departure from the city and his move towards the wilderness. This ascent is not merely physical but symbolic of his current spiritual and political low point.
* **"and wept as he went up":** This phrase immediately follows, emphasizing the continuous nature of David's emotional outpouring. His weeping is not a momentary reaction but a sustained expression of grief accompanying every step of his humiliating retreat. It highlights his personal anguish and vulnerability.
* **"and had his head covered":** This action signifies David's profound shame, sorrow, and possibly a sense of divine judgment. For a king, this public display of covering his head was an extraordinary act of humility and distress, indicating his deep personal and political humiliation.
* **"and he went barefoot":** This further underscores David's state of destitution, mourning, and penitence. It symbolizes his complete lack of comfort and the stripping away of his royal status, presenting him as a man utterly broken and afflicted.
* **"and all the people that [was] with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up":** This final, extended clause reveals the collective nature of the suffering and the loyalty of David's followers. Their actions mirror David's own, indicating a shared sense of grief, shame, and solidarity. The repetition of "weeping as they went up" emphasizes the pervasive sorrow that accompanied the entire procession, highlighting the depth of the tragedy for the king and his faithful retainers.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Symbolism** is central, with David's covered head and bare feet serving as potent symbols of mourning, shame, and profound humility in ancient Near Eastern culture. The very act of ascending Mount Olivet carries symbolic weight, representing a difficult, sorrowful journey away from what was once secure. **Repetition** is also utilized for emphasis, particularly the phrase "wept as he went up" applied to both David and his people. This repetition underscores the pervasive and continuous nature of their shared grief, amplifying the sense of tragedy. Furthermore, the entire scene is imbued with deep **Pathos**, evoking strong feelings of pity and sorrow for David, the once-glorious king, now reduced to a weeping, barefoot fugitive. The vivid imagery and the description of collective sorrow create a deeply moving and memorable portrayal of a king's fall from grace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 15:30 is a raw depiction of human suffering and the painful outworking of divine justice, even in the life of a "man after God's own heart." It underscores the biblical truth that sin has far-reaching and devastating consequences, affecting not only the individual but also their family and nation. David's public humiliation on Mount Olivet serves as a stark reminder that even those chosen by God are not exempt from the repercussions of their choices, though God's grace and ultimate faithfulness remain. His sorrow also points to the universal human experience of grief, betrayal, and loss, demonstrating that even kings are vulnerable to the deepest forms of emotional pain. Yet, within this moment of despair, there is also a subtle undercurrent of hope and trust in God's sovereignty, as David later expresses his confidence that God might yet look upon his affliction (2 Samuel 16:12).

* [2 Samuel 12:11](/2_samuel/12-11 "2 Samuel 12:11 - Nathan's Prophecy of Trouble in David's House")
* [Psalm 3](/psalms/3 "Psalm 3 - A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom")
* [Lamentations 1:16](/lamentations/1-16 "Lamentations 1:16 - Jerusalem's Weeping and Despair")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's public display of grief and humiliation in 2 Samuel 15:30 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that authentic faith does not preclude profound sorrow or even public lament. David, despite his royal status, did not suppress his pain but expressed it openly, demonstrating that it is human and even healthy to acknowledge and process deep grief, betrayal, and the consequences of our actions or the actions of others. This scene encourages us to embrace humility in adversity, recognizing that true strength often lies in acknowledging our weakness and dependence on God, rather than projecting an image of invincibility. David's barefoot ascent, head covered, serves as a powerful example of penitence and submission to what he perceived as divine judgment. In our own trials, whether self-inflicted or not, we are called to a similar posture of humility and reliance on God's sovereign hand, trusting that even in the midst of tears and apparent defeat, God is at work, shaping us and ultimately working all things for good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's public display of grief challenge our modern tendencies to hide or suppress our pain?**
* **In what ways might humility in the face of adversity, as exemplified by David, actually be a source of spiritual strength?**
* **Considering the consequences of sin in David's life, what practical steps can we take to avoid similar pitfalls and to seek reconciliation when we have erred?**

### FAQ

**Why did David choose to flee Jerusalem rather than fight Absalom within the city?**

Answer: David's decision to flee Jerusalem, rather than defend it against Absalom, was likely a multifaceted choice rooted in both practical and spiritual considerations. Practically, a battle within the city walls would have resulted in immense bloodshed, destruction, and suffering for the innocent inhabitants of Jerusalem, which David, as a shepherd-king, sought to avoid. Spiritually, David may have interpreted Absalom's rebellion as divine judgment for his own past sins, particularly his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah ([2 Samuel 12:10-11](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10-11 - Nathan's Prophecy of the Sword and Trouble")). His flight, therefore, could be seen as an act of humility, penitence, and submission to God's will, trusting that God would ultimately deliver him if it was His purpose, as he later expressed to Zadok concerning the Ark ([2 Samuel 15:25-26](/2_samuel/15-25 "2 Samuel 15:25-26 - David Sends the Ark Back to Jerusalem")).

**What is the significance of Mount Olivet in this narrative and in broader biblical history?**

Answer: Mount Olivet (the Mount of Olives) is highly significant in biblical history, serving as a recurring backdrop for pivotal events. In 2 Samuel 15:30, it is the site of David's humiliating and sorrowful ascent as he flees Jerusalem, marking a low point in his reign and a public display of his brokenness. Its location east of Jerusalem made it a natural escape route into the wilderness. Beyond this event, Mount Olivet is profoundly connected to the life of Jesus Christ. It was a place He frequently visited for prayer and teaching ([Luke 21:37](/luke/21-37 "Luke 21:37 - Jesus Teaches on the Mount of Olives")), the location of the Garden of Gethsemane where He agonized before His crucifixion ([Matthew 26:30](/matthew/26-30 "Matthew 26:30 - Jesus and His Disciples Go to the Mount of Olives")), and the site from which He ascended into heaven after His resurrection ([Acts 1:9-12](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9-12 - Jesus' Ascension from the Mount of Olives")). Prophecy also links it to His glorious return ([Zechariah 14:4](/zechariah/14-4 "Zechariah 14:4 - The Lord's Feet on the Mount of Olives")). Thus, David's sorrowful ascent foreshadows the greater suffering and ultimate triumph associated with this sacred mountain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound sorrow and humiliation of King David on the Mount of Olives in 2 Samuel 15:30 finds a powerful and poignant Christ-centered fulfillment in the life and ministry of Jesus. David, the earthly king, weeps as he flees his rebellious son, bearing the weight of his own sin and its consequences. Centuries later, on the very same Mount of Olives, Jesus, the true King of Israel and the Son of God, would also weep, not for His own sin (for He had none), but for the sins of the world and the impending destruction of Jerusalem ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")). The Mount of Olives became the place of His agony in Gethsemane, where He wrestled with the cup of suffering, betrayed by one of His own disciples ([Matthew 26:36-46](/matthew/26-36 "Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). David's public humiliation and barefoot ascent foreshadow the ultimate humility of Christ, who "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")), enduring betrayal, false accusations, and a shameful death on a cross for the sake of His rebellious people. Unlike David, whose kingdom was temporarily lost, Jesus' suffering on Olivet and His subsequent crucifixion led to an everlasting kingdom, culminating in His glorious ascension from that very mountain ([Acts 1:9-12](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9-12 - Jesus' Ascension from the Mount of Olives")), assuring His eternal reign as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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.

Cross-References

Esther 6:12

¶ And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

2 Samuel 19:4

But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

Ezekiel 24:17

Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not [thy] lips, and eat not the bread of men.

Ezekiel 24:23

And your tires [shall be] upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.

Isaiah 20:2

At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

Isaiah 20:4

So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with [their] buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Jeremiah 14:3

And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, [and] found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.