2 Samuel 19:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But the king {H4428} covered {H3813} his face {H6440}, and the king {H4428} cried {H2199} with a loud {H1419} voice {H6963}, O my son {H1121} Absalom {H53}, O Absalom {H53}, my son {H1121}, my son {H1121}!

Complete Jewish Bible

Meanwhile, the king covered his face and cried aloud, "Oh, my son Avshalom! Oh, Avshalom, my son, my son!"

Berean Standard Bible

But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This poignant verse captures the raw, overwhelming grief of King David upon receiving news of his son Absalom's death. Despite Absalom's treasonous rebellion and the devastating civil war he instigated, David's profound paternal love superseded the political victory, plunging him into a public and unrestrained lament that highlighted the immense personal cost of the conflict and the enduring sorrow of a father for his lost child.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 2 Samuel 19:4 immediately follows the decisive defeat of Absalom's rebellion and the tragic news of his death. In the preceding verses, particularly [2 Samuel 18:19-32](/2_samuel/18-19-32 "Messengers Inform David of Absalom's Death"), messengers race to inform David of the victory, but his singular concern, as seen in his earlier command to "deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" ([2 Samuel 18:5](/2_samuel/18-5 "David's Command Regarding Absalom")), is for Absalom's welfare. The verse itself builds directly upon David's initial, heart-wrenching lament recorded in [2 Samuel 18:33](/2_samuel/18-33 "David's Initial Lament for Absalom"), amplifying and extending his expression of sorrow. David's intense, public display of grief in this verse stands in stark contrast to the expected celebration of his victorious army, creating a dramatic tension that leads directly to a tense and critical confrontation with his commander, Joab, who rebukes the king for his perceived ingratitude and demoralizing behavior towards his loyal troops ([2 Samuel 19:5-7](/2_samuel/19-5-7 "Joab's Rebuke to David")). This dramatic shift from military triumph to profound personal tragedy underscores the complex emotional and political landscape of David's reign.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, public displays of intense grief, including wailing, tearing clothes, and covering the face, were common and expected expressions of mourning, particularly for the death of a close family member. For a king, such a display, while deeply personal, also carried significant political implications. David's action of covering his face could signify profound sorrow, shame, or a deliberate withdrawal from public view in a moment of overwhelming personal anguish. The repetition of names and phrases in lament was a recognized rhetorical device used to emphasize the depth and intensity of emotion, signaling profound distress to the community. Furthermore, the concept of a king's family was intrinsically linked to the stability and future of the kingdom. Absalom's rebellion, a direct challenge to David's throne and divinely appointed authority, was a grave offense, yet David's reaction transcends political considerations, revealing the enduring bond of paternal love, a theme explored throughout the [book of Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "The Second Book of Samuel").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "The Second Book of Samuel") and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights the **profound parental grief** that transcends political victory and even personal betrayal. David's repeated cries underscore the universal agony of a parent mourning a child, even a rebellious one, echoing his earlier sorrow over the death of the child born to Bathsheba ([2 Samuel 12:18-23](/2_samuel/12-18-23 "David's Grief for His Child with Bathsheba")). Secondly, it implicitly underscores the **tragic cost of rebellion and sin**. Absalom's ambition led to civil war, widespread bloodshed, his own untimely death, and his father's devastating heartbreak, illustrating the destructive consequences of defying established authority and divine order, a recurring motif in the [books of Kings](/1_kings/1 "The First Book of Kings"). Finally, the verse showcases **David's enduring humanity and frailty**. Despite being described as "a man after God's own heart" ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "Samuel's Prophecy of David's Kingship")), David is depicted here as deeply vulnerable, capable of immense love and profound sorrow, reminding readers that even divinely chosen leaders are not immune to personal burdens and emotional complexities.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **covered (Hebrew, _lâʼaṭ'_ H3813):** This verb signifies to "muffle" or "cover." In this context, David's act of covering his face is a powerful non-verbal expression of profound grief, shame, or deep distress. It suggests a desire to withdraw from public view or to hide the overwhelming anguish that consumes him, a common ancient Near Eastern mourning custom.
* **cried (Hebrew, _zâʻaq'_ H2199):** A primitive root meaning "to shriek (from anguish or danger)." This word emphasizes the intensity and public nature of David's lament. It was not a quiet, private weeping but an unrestrained, guttural wail, audible to those around him. This public display of grief was a common and accepted form of mourning in ancient Israel, demonstrating the depth of his emotional pain and the profound shock of his loss.
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_ H1121):** Derived from a root meaning "to build," referring to a son as a builder of the family name. The repeated use of "my son" (Hebrew, _b'ni'_) highlights the deep, personal, and paternal bond that transcends Absalom's rebellious actions. Despite Absalom's treason, David's primary identity in this moment is that of a grieving father, emphasizing the enduring nature of familial love over political conflict.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the king covered his face,"**: This opening clause immediately sets a somber tone, creating a stark contrast with the expected jubilation of a victorious army. David's action of covering his face signifies a profound internal struggle, a withdrawal into the depths of his personal sorrow, and perhaps a physical manifestation of his inability to bear the news or the sight of his victorious but now sorrowful men. It marks a moment of intense, private anguish made public.
* **"and the king cried with a loud voice,"**: This clause describes the audible and unrestrained outpouring of David's grief. The "loud voice" indicates a public, uninhibited lament, characteristic of deep mourning in ancient cultures. It signifies that his sorrow was too immense to be contained, breaking through any royal decorum or military stoicism. This wail is the raw, visceral expression of a father's heartbreak, heard by all who were near.
* **"O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!"**: This climactic exclamation is the heart of David's lament. The repeated invocation of Absalom's name, coupled with the possessive "my son," powerfully conveys David's overwhelming sorrow, love, and perhaps regret. The triple repetition of "my son" at the end emphasizes the paternal bond above all else, highlighting that despite Absalom's rebellion and the pain he caused, David's love for him as a son remained paramount and agonizingly present in death.

#### Literary Devices
This verse is rich with literary devices that amplify its emotional impact. The most prominent is **Epizeuxis**, the immediate repetition of words or phrases for emphasis, seen vividly in "O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!" This repetition is not merely stylistic but conveys the overwhelming, almost unbearable nature of David's grief, as if his mind can articulate nothing else. The verse also employs **Pathos**, evoking intense emotion in the reader by portraying David's raw, unvarnished sorrow. This deep emotional appeal allows the audience to connect with the universal experience of parental loss. Furthermore, there is a powerful **Contrast** between the military victory just achieved and the profound personal tragedy experienced by the king. The public nature of David's "loud voice" alongside his act of "covering his face" creates a stark visual and auditory juxtaposition, highlighting the tension between his public role as king and his private agony as a father.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's lament for Absalom is a profound portrayal of human grief, revealing that even God's chosen leaders are not immune to the deepest sorrows and the tragic consequences of sin, both their own and others'. The scene underscores the enduring power of familial love, even in the face of betrayal and rebellion, and implicitly points to the devastating ripple effects of sin within families and nations. Theologically, it reminds us that while God's justice prevails, the human cost of sin is immense and often felt most acutely by those who love the transgressor. David's sorrow is a testament to the brokenness of a world marred by sin, where even righteous leaders experience profound suffering, and where the most profound personal agonies can arise from the very relationships meant to bring joy.

* [2 Samuel 12:18-23](/2_samuel/12-18-23 "David's Grief for His First Son with Bathsheba")
* [Lamentations 1:12](/lamentations/1-12 "Jerusalem's Lament")
* [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's raw lament in 2 Samuel 19:4 offers a powerful invitation to reflect on the nature of grief, love, and the consequences of human choices. It reminds us that sorrow is a universal human experience, transcending status, power, or even the deservingness of the one mourned. David's profound anguish for Absalom, despite his son's rebellion, speaks to the enduring, unconditional nature of parental love, even when it is met with betrayal. For us, this verse encourages empathy for those who grieve, regardless of the circumstances, and acknowledges that healing from deep wounds often involves a painful process of lament. It also serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of sin and rebellion, not only on the individual but on their loved ones and the wider community. Leaders, in particular, can find solace and understanding here, recognizing that their burdens are not solely public but often deeply personal and emotionally taxing, requiring both strength in governance and vulnerability in personal suffering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's grief for Absalom challenge or affirm your understanding of love and forgiveness, especially towards those who have caused pain?**
* **In what ways does this passage help us understand the universal nature of human sorrow, even for those in positions of power?**
* **What does David's public lament teach us about healthy expressions of grief in the face of profound loss?**
* **How might the consequences of Absalom's rebellion, as seen through David's grief, inform our understanding of the ripple effects of sin in our own lives or communities?**

### FAQ
**Why was David so deeply saddened by Absalom's death, given Absalom's rebellion against him?**

Answer: David's profound sorrow, despite Absalom's rebellion, highlights the enduring and often unconditional nature of parental love. While Absalom was a political enemy who sought David's throne and life, he was first and foremost David's son. The bond of kinship, particularly between father and son, was extremely strong in ancient Israelite culture. David had a history of deep affection for his children, even those who caused him pain or died tragically, as seen in his earlier grief for the child born to Bathsheba ([2 Samuel 12:18-23](/2_samuel/12-18-23 "David's Mourning for His Child")). His lament reflects the crushing personal cost of the civil war and the tragic loss of a son, regardless of his actions. It speaks to the universal human experience of grieving a lost child, where love often transcends the wrongs committed, demonstrating that even a king's heart is not immune to the deepest human affections and sorrows.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's agonizing lament for Absalom, a rebellious son whose actions brought immense suffering, offers a profound, albeit imperfect, foreshadowing of God's own grief over humanity's rebellion. While David mourned a son who justly faced the consequences of his actions, God, in Christ, grieves over humanity's sin and rebellion, yet provides a path to reconciliation. The ultimate Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, the perfect Son, did not rebel but willingly laid down His life, bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and rebellion, so that those who were enemies of God might be reconciled to Him ([Romans 5:8-10](/romans/5-8-10 "God's Love for Sinners")). Just as David longed for his son, God longs for His creation, and in Jesus, He provides the means for that longing to be fulfilled. Christ's suffering in Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:36-46](/matthew/26-36-46 "Jesus in Gethsemane")) and His cry from the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")) echo the depths of sorrow, not for His own rebellion, but for the sin of the world He came to save. Through His death and resurrection, the ultimate rebellious children can be brought home, not through their own demise, but through the sacrificial love of the obedient Son, who makes all things new and restores broken relationships ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "God Makes All Things New")).

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

2 Samuel 18:33

And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

2 Samuel 15:30

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.