2 Samuel 13:31

Contextual Overview

³⁰ And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that the tidings came to David, saying, Absalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left. ³⁰ As they were on the way back to Jerusalem, this report reached David: "Absalom has killed all the king's sons; not one is left alive!" ³⁰ And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that the tidings came to David saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left. ³⁰ While the king's sons were on their way, the news came to David, "Absalom has killed all of the king's sons! Not one of them is left alive!" ³⁰ While they were still on their way, the following report reached David: "Absalom has killed all the king's sons; not one of them is left!" ³⁰ And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that information came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left. ³⁰ It happened, while they were in the way, that the news came to David, saying, Absalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left. ³⁰Now it happened while they were on the way [back home], that the [exaggerated] report came to David, "Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and not one of them is left." ³⁰ While they were on the way, news came to David, "Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left." ³⁰ And whanne thei yeden yit in the weie, fame cam to the kyng, and seide, Absolon hath kild alle the sones of the king, and `nameli not oon lefte of hem.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

arose: 2 Samuel 12:16, Genesis 37:29, Genesis 37:34, Joshua 7:6, Job 1:20

all his servants: 2 Samuel 1:11, 2 Samuel 3:31

Reciprocal: Judges 11:35 - rent his clothes

Gill's Notes on the 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.