2 Samuel 13:31

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

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 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man got him up on his mule, and fled.

30 It happened, while they were in the way, that the news came to David, saying, Absalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

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

32 Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered, Don't let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

33 Now therefore don't let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead.