Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore them; and all the men who were with him did likewise.
Parallel translations
- KJV Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
- BSB Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same.
- NKJV Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him.
- NASB Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did all the men who were with him.
- NLT David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David tears his clothes in grief at the news. His sorrow shows genuine mourning rather than triumph over his rival.
Overview
Tearing one's garments was a profound expression of grief and distress. David's reaction reveals a heart untainted by ambition's cruelty; he laments the fall of Saul and Jonathan rather than celebrating his enemy's death. This response models the call to love even one's enemies, anticipating the greater Son of David who wept over those who opposed Him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 2 Sam 13:31Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
- Gen 37:29Reuben returned to the pit; and saw that Joseph wasn’t in the pit; and he tore his clothes.
- 2 Sam 3:31David 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.
- Gen 37:34Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
- Acts 14:14But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out,
- Josh 7:6Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before Yahweh’s ark until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.
- Rom 12:15Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 1:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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