2 Samuel 13:19

2 Samuel 13:19 Meaning and Explanation

And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

King James Version (KJV)

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Tamar openly mourns, tearing her royal robe and crying aloud in grief.

What Does 2 Samuel 13:19 Mean?

Tamar refuses to hide what was done to her. She heaps ashes on her head, tears the royal robe, lays her hand upon her head, and goes away weeping aloud. These are the ancient signs of deep mourning, and she makes her grief public and undisguised.

Her lament is its own kind of courage and truth-telling; she will not pretend nothing happened. Scripture honors the cry of the wounded rather than demanding their silence. God does not ask the hurting to mask their pain; the Psalms are full of honest grief poured out to Him. Tamar's tears rise before the Lord who collects them, who is near to the broken-hearted, and who one day wipes every tear from the eyes of His own.

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What does 2 Samuel 13:19 mean?

Tamar openly mourns, tearing her royal robe and crying aloud in grief.

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