And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
Parallel translations
- WEB Joab was told, “Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.”
- BSB Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.”
- NKJV And Joab was told, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”
- NASB Then it was reported to Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping and he mourns for Absalom.”
- NLT Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom.
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
Word reaches Joab that the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom. David's grief begins to overshadow the army's victory.
Overview
News of David's mourning over Absalom comes to Joab, setting up the coming confrontation in which Joab rebukes the king for shaming his loyal soldiers (19:5-7). The verse marks the tension between David's private grief and his public duty as king. It opens a chapter on the costly, complicated work of leading and restoring a kingdom after rebellion.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 2 Sam 18:14Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
- 2 Sam 18:5And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
- 2 Sam 18:12And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
- 2 Sam 18:20And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.
- Prov 17:25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
- 2 Sam 18:33And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
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 19:1 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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