2 Samuel 13:31

31 The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his attendants stood by with their clothes torn.

2 Samuel 13:31 in Other Translations

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

31 Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the earth. And all his servants who were standing by tore their garments.

31 The king got up, tore his robe, and threw himself on the ground. His advisers also tore their clothes in horror and sorrow.

31 The king stood up, ripped his clothes to shreds, and threw himself on the floor. All his servants who were standing around at the time did the same.

31 In response the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground, 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 So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.

30 While they were on their way, the report came to David: “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left.”

31 The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his attendants stood by with their clothes torn.

32 But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s express intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar.

33 My lord the king should not be concerned about the report that all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.”

Cross References

• 1. S Numbers 14:6; 2 Samuel 1:11; 2 Samuel 12:16