2 Samuel 13:19

19 And Tamar ¹put ashes on her head and ²tore the long robe that she wore. And ³she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.

2 Samuel 13:19 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 13:19

And Tamar put ashes on her head
In token of sorrow and distress; see ( Joshua 7:6 ) ;

and rent her garment of divers colours that [was] on her;
signifying that her virginity was rent from her in a forcible manner, or that she was ravished:

and laid her hand on her head;
through grief and shame; see ( Jeremiah 2:37 ) ;

and went on crying;
from Amnon's house to her brother Absalom's, as one abused and injured.

2 Samuel 13:19 In-Context

17 He called the young man who served him and said, "Put this woman out of my presence and bolt the door after her."

18 Now she was wearing a long robe with sleeves, for thus were the virgin daughters of the king dressed. So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her.

19 And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she wore. And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.

20 And her brother Absalom said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this to heart." So Tamar lived, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom's house.

21 When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.

Cross References

• 1. See Joshua 7:6
• 2. See 2 Samuel 1:11
• 3. Jeremiah 2:37