2 Samuel 13:31

Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(31) Tare his garments.—Rather, rent his clothes, the words being the same as in the last clause of the verse.

Benson Commentary

2 Samuel 13:31-32. Then the king arose — He was thrown by this news, as we may well imagine, into the utmost consternation, and almost driven even to despair. He tore his clothes, and laid himself down upon the earth, like a person frantic with grief, and abandoned to distress; and his servants stood disconsolate around him with their garments torn also. And Jonadab answered, &c. — Recollecting himself in his subtlety, and running over the train of his own thoughts, he easily concluded that Amnon only was killed; and immediately took upon him to assure the king it must be so. Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom, &c. — It is probable Absalom had talked among his familiar friends, that he would take an opportunity to revenge the injury done his sister, although, for the present, he took no notice of it, which Jonadab had some way or other discovered. But “what unparalleled impudence and effrontery,” says Delaney, “was this, to speak with such calmness and unconcern of a horrid villany, which he himself had contrived, and of which he now saw the dreadful consequences! What a miscreant minister was this, and how much fitter to be admitted into the councils of hell than into those of David! This hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister — And did Jonadab know all this? or had he any cause to suspect it? Then what a wicked wretch was he, that he did not make David acquainted with it sooner, in order that means might have been used to make up the quarrel, or, at least, that David might not have thrown Amnon into the mouth of danger, by letting him go to Absalom’s house. For, if we do not do our utmost to prevent mischief, we make ourselves accessory to it. It is well if Jonadab was not as guilty of Amnon’s death as he was of his sin. Such friends do they prove who are hearkened to when they counsel us to do wickedly.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

13:30-39 Jonadab was as guilty of Ammon's death, as of his sin; such false friends do they prove, who counsel us to do wickedly. Instead of loathing Absalom as a murderer, David, after a time, longed to go forth to him. This was David's infirmity: God saw something in his heart that made a difference, else we should have thought that he, as much as Eli, honoured his sons more than God.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Upon his mule - So in 1 Kings 1:33, 1 Kings 1:38 the mule is the royal animal on which David himself rides. In 2 Samuel 18:9 Absalom rides upon a mule.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

30, 31. tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons—It was natural that in the consternation and tumult caused by so atrocious a deed, an exaggerated report should reach the court, which was at once plunged into the depths of grief and despair. But the information of Jonadab, who seems to have been aware of the plan, and the arrival of the other princes, made known the real extent of the catastrophe.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then the king arose, and tore his garments,.... 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, 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, 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.

Geneva Study Bible

Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the {n} earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

(n) Lamenting, as he that felt the wrath of God on his house, 2Sa 12:10.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

2 Samuel 13:31

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

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., Numbers 22:23-24; Exodus 5:20, etc.).