Bible Strands
2 Samuel 13:31
Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground. And all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David reacts to the false report in 2 Samuel 13:30 that Absalom killed all his sons. His servants stand around him wearing matching torn garments.
The words — וַ/יִּקְרַ֥ע (va/i.yik.Ra') means "and he tore," describing the king's violent act of ripping his garments. אָ֑רְצָ/ה ('A.re.tza/h) translates to "toward the ground," indicating where he lay down in mourning.
The thread — This public display of mourning parallels David's reaction to the false report of Saul's death in 2 Samuel 1:11 and Reuben's grief over Joseph in Genesis 37:29. It also mirrors David's prostration on the ground while interceding for his sick child in 2 Samuel 12:16.
Why it lands — The text records a visceral, physical response to catastrophic news before correction arrives. It demands recognition that grief often precedes truth, and that leaders model communal mourning through their own exposed vulnerability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 1:11 Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same.
- 2 Samuel 12:16 David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground.
- Genesis 37:29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,
- Genesis 37:34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
- Joshua 7:6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads.
- 2 Samuel 3:31 Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier.
- Job 1:20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,