Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier. New Living Translation Then David said to Joab and all those who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on burlap. Mourn for Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the procession to the grave. English Standard Version Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier. Berean Standard Bible Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. Berean Literal Bible And David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your⁺ clothes, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before the face of Abner.” And King David followed after the bier. King James Bible And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. New King James Version Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.” And King David followed the coffin. New American Standard Bible Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier. NASB 1995 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier. NASB 1977 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier. Legacy Standard Bible Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and gird on sackcloth and lament before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier. Amplified Bible Then David said to Joab and to all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David walked behind the bier. Berean Annotated Bible Then David (beloved) ordered Joab (YHWH is father) and all the people with him, “Tear your⁺ clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner (my father is a lamp). And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. Christian Standard Bible David then ordered Joab and all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn over Abner.” And King David walked behind the coffin. Holman Christian Standard Bible David then ordered Joab and all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn over Abner.” And King David walked behind the funeral procession. American Standard Version And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David followed the bier. Contemporary English Version David told Joab and everyone with him, "Show your sorrow by tearing your clothes and wearing sackcloth! Walk in front of Abner's body and cry!" David walked behind the stretcher on which Abner's body was being carried. English Revised Version And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David followed the bier. GOD'S WORD® Translation David told Joab and all the people with him, "Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn for Abner." King David followed the open casket. Good News Translation Then David ordered Joab and his men to tear their clothes, wear sackcloth, and mourn for Abner. And at the funeral King David himself walked behind the coffin. International Standard Version David ordered Joab and all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn for Abner." King David walked behind the funeral procession, NET Bible David instructed Joab and all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes! Put on sackcloth! Lament before Abner!" Now King David followed behind the funeral bier. New Heart English Bible David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner." And King David followed the coffin. Webster's Bible Translation And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. World English Bible David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn in front of Abner.” King David followed the bier. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David says to Joab, and to all the people who [are] with him, “Tear your garments, and gird on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner”; and King David is going after the bier. Berean Literal Bible And David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your⁺ clothes, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before the face of Abner.” And King David followed after the bier. Young's Literal Translation And David saith unto Joab, and unto all the people who are with him, 'Rend your garments, and gird on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner;' and king David is going after the bier. Smith's Literal Translation And David will say to Joab and to all the people which were with him, Rend your garments and gird you with sack-cloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David went after the litter. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him: Rend your garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloths, and mourn before the funeral of Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. Catholic Public Domain Version Then David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before the funeral procession of Abner.” Moreover, king David himself was following the casket. New American Bible Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your garments, put on sackcloth, and mourn over Abner.” King David himself followed the bier. New Revised Standard Version Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourn over Abner.” And King David followed the bier. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, Rend your clothes and gird yourselves with sackcloth and mourn for Abner. And King David himself and all the people followed the bier. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David said to Yuab and to all the people who were with him: “Rip your garments and be clothed in sackcloth and mourn before Abnir and King David!” And all the people went after the bier OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him: 'Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and wail before Abner.' And king David followed the bier. Brenton Septuagint Translation And David said to Joab and to all the people with him, Rend your garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and lament before Abenner. And king David followed the bier. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Mourns for Abner31Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. 32When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept.… Cross References Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, 2 Samuel 1:11-12 Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. Joel 2:15-17 Blow the ram’s horn in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a sacred assembly. / Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. / Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” Esther 4:1-3 When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. / But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate. / In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, Esther 4:1-2 When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. / But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate. 1 Kings 21:27-29 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly. / Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: / “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity during his days, but I will bring it upon his house in the days of his son.” Genesis 37:34-35 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. / All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him. and mourn before Abner.” 2 Samuel 1:17-27 Then David took up this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, / and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar: / “Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! … 2 Chronicles 35:24-25 So his servants took him out of his chariot, put him in his second chariot, and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. And Josiah was buried in the tomb of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. / Then Jeremiah lamented over Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers recite laments over Josiah. They established them as a statute for Israel, and indeed they are written in the Book of Laments. Genesis 50:10-11 When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days. / When the Canaanites of the land saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a solemn ceremony of mourning by the Egyptians.” Thus the place across the Jordan is called Abel-mizraim. And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. Luke 7:12-15 As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. / When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.” / Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!” … 2 Kings 23:30-31 From Megiddo his servants carried his body in a chariot, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in place of his father. / Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. Acts 8:2 God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. 1 Kings 2:5-6 Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 1 Kings 2:32-33 The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.” 1 Kings 2:9 Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.” 1 Kings 2:28-34 When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” … Treasury of Scripture And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. Rend 2 Samuel 1:2,11 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance… Genesis 37:29,34 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes… Joshua 7:6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. bier [heb] bed Luke 7:14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. Jump to Previous Abner Bier Body Clothes David Dead Followed Front Garments Gird Grief Haircloth Joab Jo'ab Lament Mourn Mourning Rend Sackcloth Sorrow Tear Wail Walk WalkedJump to Next Abner Bier Body Clothes David Dead Followed Front Garments Gird Grief Haircloth Joab Jo'ab Lament Mourn Mourning Rend Sackcloth Sorrow Tear Wail Walk Walked2 Samuel 3 1. During the war David becomes stronger2. Six sons are born to him in Hebron 6. Abner, displeased with Ishbosheth 7. revolts to David 13. David requires as a condition to bring him his wife Michal 17. Abner confers with the Israelites, feasted by David, and dismissed 22. Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and kills Abner 28. David curses Joab 31. and mourns for Abner Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him David, as the anointed king, exercises his authority over Joab and the people. Joab, David's military commander, had killed Abner, Saul's former army commander, in an act of vengeance. This order reflects David's desire to publicly distance himself from Joab's actions and to honor Abner, demonstrating his commitment to justice and reconciliation. The people with Joab likely included soldiers and officials, indicating the importance of this public mourning. Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, known for his heart after God, who demonstrates leadership and humility in mourning Abner. 2. Joab David's military commander, who had personal enmity with Abner and was responsible for his death. 3. Abner The commander of Saul's army, who had recently aligned himself with David before being murdered by Joab. 4. The People The Israelites present with David, who are instructed to mourn for Abner, reflecting the communal aspect of grief. 5. The Bier The platform or frame on which Abner's body was carried, symbolizing the public nature of the mourning process. Teaching Points Leadership in GriefDavid sets an example by leading the mourning process, showing that true leadership involves empathy and humility. Respect for Life Despite Abner's past opposition, David honors him in death, teaching us to respect the dignity of all individuals. Communal Mourning The call for all people to mourn highlights the importance of shared grief and support within a community. Repentance and Forgiveness David's actions suggest a heart of forgiveness, encouraging us to let go of past grievances and seek reconciliation. Public Expression of Grief The public nature of the mourning process underscores the importance of expressing grief openly and honestly. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 3:31?2. How does David's mourning in 2 Samuel 3:31 demonstrate godly leadership? 3. What can we learn from David's response to Abner's death in our lives? 4. How does David's lament connect to Jesus' teachings on mourning in Matthew 5:4? 5. How can we apply David's example of public mourning to our community practices? 6. What does David's command to "tear your clothes" teach about expressing grief biblically? 7. Why did David command mourning for Abner in 2 Samuel 3:31? 8. How does 2 Samuel 3:31 reflect David's leadership qualities? 9. What cultural practices are highlighted in 2 Samuel 3:31? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 3? 11. Why did Joab kill Abner in the Bible story? 12. 2 Samuel 3:27–30: Why doesn’t David punish Joab immediately for murdering Abner if he truly opposes the act? 13. 2 Samuel 3:33-34: Why does David publicly lament Abner's death as though he were innocent when Abner led opposing forces? 14. 2 Samuel 3:12-13: Does Abner's sudden support for David align with known tribal loyalties and historical realities of that era? What Does 2 Samuel 3:31 Mean Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him• David acts swiftly to set the tone for the nation after Abner’s murder, guarding Israel from further blood-feud (2 Samuel 3:28–29). • By including Joab—the very man responsible—David demonstrates righteous authority that confronts sin publicly (Romans 13:3–4; 1 Kings 2:5–6). • Similar decisive leadership is seen when David mourned Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:11–12), signaling that grief and justice can—and must—walk together. “Tear your clothes, • Tearing garments was an immediate, visible declaration of profound sorrow (Genesis 37:34; Job 1:20). • David commands the gesture so the whole nation feels the weight of the loss and the gravity of murder. • It teaches that outward symbols can undergird genuine inner contrition when directed by God’s truth (Joel 2:12–13). put on sackcloth, • Sackcloth—rough goat hair—was worn by kings and commoners alike in times of repentance or calamity (Jonah 3:5–6; 1 Kings 21:27). • David wants the people to sense not only personal grief but collective humility before the Lord who “requires an accounting for bloodshed” (Genesis 9:5). • The command exposes Joab’s act as sin before God and community, inviting national reflection rather than revenge. and mourn before Abner.” • Abner had just pledged allegiance to David (2 Samuel 3:17–21). Honoring him in death underscores David’s commitment to reconciliation. • Public lament rebukes any triumphalism over a fallen rival (Proverbs 24:17; Matthew 5:44). • David’s sincerity opens the door for the tribes to rally under his throne, fulfilling God’s promise of a united kingdom (2 Samuel 5:1–3). And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. • The king does not delegate the hard work of mourning; he models it. His personal participation validates the nation’s grief (Romans 12:15). • Walking behind the bier was the place of chief mourner, marking David’s humility and solidarity (Philippians 2:3–4). • This foreshadows the Greater Son of David who would identify with our sorrow and enter death’s shadow to bring life (Luke 7:12–14; John 11:35). summary 2 Samuel 3:31 shows a godly leader guiding his people through tragedy with visible repentance, public justice, and humble identification. David’s commands confront sin, honor the fallen, and foster unity, illustrating how righteous grief can heal a nation and point hearts to the King who perfectly fulfills sorrow and sovereignty. (31) Rend your clothes.--David commands a public mourning with the usual signs of rent clothes and sackcloth, and lays this command especially upon Joab, who is thus required, as it were, to do public penance for his act. David himself followed the bier as chief mourner.Verse 31. - David said to Joab. The excuse of the blood feud made it impossible for David to punish Joab further than by depriving him of his command; but he made him condemn his own deed by taking part in the public mourning for the man he had murdered. This mourning consisted in going in solemn procession, clad in sackcloth, before Abner's body, carried on a bier to the grave, while David followed as chief mourner; and the emphatic way in which he is called King David suggests the thought that he went in royal state, so as to give all possible dignity to the funeral. His tears and lamentations with uplifted voice were so genuine and hearty as to move the people to a similar outburst of grief. But while all those at Hebron had proof that David was innocent, the people generally would know only that, when Abner was escorting the king's wife back to him, and arranging for his election to rule over all Israel, he was treacherously murdered at the gate of Hebron by one who was chief over David's army and also his nephew.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Davidדָּוִ֨ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse ordered וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say Joab יוֹאָ֜ב (yō·w·’āḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites and all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the people הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock with him, אִתּ֗וֹ (’it·tōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among “Tear קִרְע֤וּ (qir·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7167: To rend your clothes, בִגְדֵיכֶם֙ (ḇiḡ·ḏê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage put on וְחִגְר֣וּ (wə·ḥiḡ·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 2296: To gird, gird on, gird oneself sackcloth, שַׂקִּ֔ים (śaq·qîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8242: A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag and mourn וְסִפְד֖וּ (wə·sip̄·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 5594: To tear the hair and beat the breasts, to lament, to wail before לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face Abner.” אַבְנֵ֑ר (’aḇ·nêr) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name And King וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (wə·ham·me·leḵ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king David himself דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse walked הֹלֵ֖ךְ (hō·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk behind אַחֲרֵ֥י (’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition Strong's 310: The hind or following part the funeral bier. הַמִּטָּֽה׃ (ham·miṭ·ṭāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4296: A bed, for, sleeping, eating, a sofa, litter, bier Links 2 Samuel 3:31 NIV2 Samuel 3:31 NLT 2 Samuel 3:31 ESV 2 Samuel 3:31 NASB 2 Samuel 3:31 KJV 2 Samuel 3:31 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 3:31 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 3:31 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 3:31 French Bible 2 Samuel 3:31 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 3:31 David said to Joab and to all (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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