2 Samuel 13:31 Meaning and Explanation
“Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Overcome with grief, David tears his clothes and lies on the ground, his servants mourning with him.
What Does 2 Samuel 13:31 Mean?
Believing all his sons are dead, David rises, tears his garments, and throws himself to the ground in mourning. His servants stand by with their own clothes torn, sharing the king's sorrow. The whole court is wrapped in lament over a loss reported but not yet known to be untrue.
Grief here is raw and unhidden, the honest response of a father who believes he has lost everything. Scripture does not rebuke such mourning; it portrays it with tenderness. There is no shame in lying low before God in sorrow. Even when grief is built on partial knowledge, the Lord meets the mourner where they are. He is near to those who weep, and He does not despise a broken heart poured out on the ground before Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 13:31
What does 2 Samuel 13:31 mean?
Overcome with grief, David tears his clothes and lies on the ground, his servants mourning with him.