2 Samuel 13:19

19 Tamar put ashes on her head, and she tore the long-sleeved robe which [was] on her. She put her hand on her head, and {she went away, crying out 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 Then he called his young man who [was] serving him and said, "Please send this woman from me to the outside, and bolt the door behind her!"

18 Now there [was] a long-sleeved robe on her, for so they clothed the daughters of the king who [were] virgins, in robes. His servant put her outside, and he bolted the door behind her.

19 Tamar put ashes on her head, and she tore the long-sleeved robe which [was] on her. She put her hand on her head, and {she went away, crying out as she went}.

20 Absalom her brother said to her, "[Was] Amnon your brother with you? But now, my sister, be quiet; he [is] your brother. {Do not take this matter to heart}." So Tamar remained a desolate woman in the house of Absalom her brother.

21 Now King David heard all these things, and {he became very angry}.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "she went, going and crying aloud"