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2 Samuel 19:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 19:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
2 Samuel 19:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
2And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people; for the people heard say that day, The king grieveth for his son.
3And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people that are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
4And the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
5And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, who this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
6in that thou lovest them that hate thee, and hatest them that love thee. For thou hast declared this day, that princes and servants are nought unto thee: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
7Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants; for I swear by Jehovah, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry a man with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that hath befallen thee from thy youth until now.
← 2 Samuel 19:32 Samuel 19:5 →
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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
“But the king covered his face, etc.] And would not see his generals, and thank them for their services: but wrapped himself in his mantle, after the manner of mourners: and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son! and this was some time, perhaps some days after he had received the news of his death, since Joab and the army were returned from the battle; had it been a sudden start of passion, upon first hearing thee news, and had continued a few hours, it would have been more excusable; but to continue some days, as it is very probable it did, was very unbecoming.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the king covered his face--one of the usual signs of mourning (see on Sa2 15:30).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“covered: Sa2 15:30 O my son: It is allowed by competent critics that the lamentation of David over his son, of which this forms a part, is exceedingly pathetic; and Calmet properly remarks, that the frequent repetition of the name of the deceased is common in the language of lamentation. Sa2 18:33 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 19:5”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification