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2 Samuel 13:31

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 13:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then the king arose, and rent his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then the king arose, and rent his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
2 Samuel 13:31 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28And Absalom commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now, when Amnon`s heart is merry with wine; and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon, then kill him; fear not; have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
29And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king`s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
30And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that the tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king`s sons, and there is not one of them left.
31Then the king arose, and rent his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
32And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David`s brother, answered and said, Let not 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 hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
33Now therefore let not 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.
34But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill-side behind him.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then the king arose, and tore his garments, etc.] 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, (<013734>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, (<180120>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.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:31 David tore his robe, as Tamar had done after being violated (13:19)—a sign of great distress or remorse (see also Gen 37:34).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“arose: Sa2 12:16; Gen 37:29, Gen 37:34; Jos 7:6; Job 1:20 all his servants: Sa2 1:11, Sa2 3:31 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 13:32”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The king rent his clothes with horror at such a deed, and sat down upon the ground, and all his servants (courtiers) stood motionless by, with their clothes rent as well. This is the rendering adopted by Bttcher, as נצּב has frequently the idea of standing perfectly motionless (e.g., Num 22:23-24; Exo 5:20, etc.). 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 13:32”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification