2 Samuel 13:31

Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

Then the king {H4428} arose {H6965}, and tare {H7167} his garments {H899}, and lay {H7901} on the earth {H776}; and all his servants {H5650} stood {H5324} by with their clothes {H899} rent {H7167}.

The king got up, tore his clothes and lay on the ground, while all his servants stood by with their clothes torn too.

Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.

Then the king arose, and rent his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

Commentary

2 Samuel 13:31 vividly portrays King David's immediate and profound reaction to the devastating news of his son Amnon's death, initially compounded by a false report that all his sons had been slain. This verse marks a pivotal moment of intense sorrow and public mourning within David's royal household.

Context

This verse is situated at a tragic turning point in David's reign, immediately following Absalom's carefully planned assassination of his half-brother Amnon, in revenge for Amnon's rape of their sister Tamar. The news reached David in a dramatic and exaggerated fashion, leading him to believe the worst. This deeply personal tragedy is a bitter fruit of the prophecy delivered by Nathan concerning the consequences of David's sin with Bathsheba, foretelling that "the sword shall never depart from thine house." The events of 2 Samuel 13:28-29 directly precede this outpouring of grief.

Key Themes

  • Profound Grief and Despair: David's actions—rising, tearing his garments, and lying on the earth—are classic, culturally understood expressions of overwhelming sorrow, anguish, and utter brokenness in ancient Israel. This demonstrates the depth of his personal pain and the shock of the news.
  • Consequences of Sin: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the entire narrative arc from David's sin with Bathsheba through this chapter highlights the painful and far-reaching repercussions of moral failure, even for a forgiven king. The turmoil within his family is a direct fulfillment of divine judgment.
  • Public Display of Mourning: Not only David but "all his servants stood by with their clothes rent," signifying the collective shock and shared grief that permeated the royal court. This public display underscored the magnitude of the tragedy.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "tare his garments" uses the Hebrew verb qara' (קָרַע), meaning "to tear" or "to rip." This was a powerful, non-verbal expression of intense emotion—grief, horror, anger, or despair—seen throughout the Old Testament. Examples include Jacob tearing his clothes upon hearing of Joseph's presumed death, and Job doing so in response to his immense losses. Lying on the earth was another common posture of profound humility and abject sorrow.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that grief is a natural and often overwhelming human experience, even for those in positions of power. It underscores the reality that actions have consequences, and while God forgives, the natural ramifications of our choices can still bring deep pain and sorrow, often impacting our families. David's public display of mourning also highlights the importance of authentic emotional expression in times of loss, providing a shared space for collective sorrow.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 12:16 (5 votes)

    David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

  • 2 Samuel 1:11 (5 votes)

    ¶ Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that [were] with him:

  • Joshua 7:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.

  • Job 1:20 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

  • Genesis 37:29 (2 votes)

    And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph [was] not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

  • 2 Samuel 3:31 (2 votes)

    And David said to Joab, and to all the people that [were] with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David [himself] followed the bier.

  • Genesis 37:34 (2 votes)

    And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.