2 Samuel 19:1

ยถ And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.

And it was told {H5046} Joab {H3097}, Behold, the king {H4428} weepeth {H1058} and mourneth {H56} for Absalom {H53}.

Yo'av was told, "The king is weeping, mourning for Avshalom."

Then it was reported to Joab, โ€œThe king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.โ€

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.

Commentary

Context

Second Samuel 19:1 marks a pivotal moment immediately following the intense civil war between King David and his rebellious son, Absalom. The previous chapter detailed the battle and the tragic death of Absalom at the hands of Joab, David's commander, despite David's direct command to deal gently with the young man. This verse reveals the immediate aftermath of Absalom's demise: the news reaches Joab that David is not celebrating the victory and the end of the rebellion, but is instead deeply grieving his son's death. This public display of sorrow by the king threatened to undermine the morale of the victorious army and the stability of his newly restored kingdom.

Key Themes

  • Profound Parental Grief: The verse highlights the overwhelming sorrow of King David. Despite Absalom's treacherous rebellion, David's love for his son remained immense. His lament for Absalom in 2 Samuel 18:33 ("O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!") underscores the depth of his personal pain over the loss, transcending the political victory.
  • The Conflict of Duty and Emotion: Joab's immediate concern upon hearing of David's grief is the potential negative impact on the army and the kingdom. This sets up the tension between David's personal anguish and his responsibilities as a king to acknowledge the sacrifices of his loyal soldiers and secure his reign.
  • Consequences of Sin and Rebellion: Absalom's rebellion, born of ambition and vengeance, ultimately led to his own demise and brought immense suffering to his father and the nation. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences that often follow sin and defiance.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "weepeth and mourneth" uses two strong verbs to describe David's emotional state. The Hebrew words are bokheh (ื‘ื•ื›ื”), meaning "to weep" with tears, and spel-lay (ืกื•ืคื“), meaning "to mourn" or lament, often with outward signs of grief. This combination emphasizes a profound, visible, and perhaps uncontrollable sorrow that was evident to all around him, including his military commander, Joab.

Practical Application

This passage offers valuable insights into leadership, grief, and human relationships. It reminds us that even figures of great authority, like King David, are susceptible to deep personal sorrow. Leaders often face the challenging balance between personal feelings and public duty, where decisions must sometimes prioritize the greater good over individual sentiment. Furthermore, the narrative encourages empathy for those who grieve, even as it highlights the painful outcomes of rebellion and conflict within families. It challenges us to consider how we navigate personal pain while fulfilling our responsibilities to others.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 18:5 (3 votes)

    And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, [Deal] gently for my sake with the young man, [even] with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.

  • 2 Samuel 18:14 (3 votes)

    Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he [was] yet alive in the midst of the oak.

  • 2 Samuel 18:33 (2 votes)

    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!

  • Proverbs 17:25 (2 votes)

    ยถ A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

  • 2 Samuel 18:20 (2 votes)

    And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.

  • 2 Samuel 18:12 (2 votes)

    And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand [shekels] of silver in mine hand, [yet] would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none [touch] the young man Absalom.