2 Samuel 13:31

31 Then the king rose up, and rent his garments: and fell upon the ground, and all his servants, that stood about him, rent their garments.

2 Samuel 13:31 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 13:31

Then the king arose, and tore his garments
In token of extreme grief and sorrow, as Jacob did when he was shown the coat of Joseph, supposing him to have been slain, as David thought all his sons were, ( Genesis 37:34 ) ;

and lay on the earth;
on the bare ground, another token of mourning; so Job did on hearing the death of his sons, ( Job 1:20 ) ;

and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent:
did as David did, in imitation of him, joining with him in expressions of sorrow; these were his courtiers, ministers of state, and principal officers in his household.

2 Samuel 13:31 In-Context

29 And the servants of Absalom did to Ammon as Absalom had commanded them. And all the king’s sons arose and got up every man upon his mule, and fled.

30 And while they were yet in the way, a rumour came to David, saying: Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one them left.

31 Then the king rose up, and rent his garments: and fell upon the ground, and all his servants, that stood about him, rent their garments.

32 But Jonadab the son of Semmaa David’s brother answering, said: Let not my lord the king think that all the king’s sons are slain: Ammon only is dead, for he was appointed by the mouth of Absalom from the day that he ravished his sister Thamar.

33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take this thing into his heart, saying: All the king’s sons are slain: for Ammon only is dead.