2 Samuel 1:11 kjv

Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

2 Samuel 1:11 nkjv

Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him.

2 Samuel 1:11 niv

Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them.

2 Samuel 1:11 esv

Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him.

2 Samuel 1:11 nlt

David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news.

2 Samuel 1 verses

2 Samuel 1 11 Meaning

David's immediate and profound expression of grief upon hearing of the deaths of King Saul and Jonathan is powerfully conveyed by the ancient Near Eastern custom of tearing one's garments. This visceral reaction, shared in solidarity by all his loyal men, underscored the depth of his sorrow and reverence for God's anointed king, despite Saul's long-standing animosity towards him. It served as a public, unmistakable display of lament and despair over the catastrophic news.

2 Samuel 1 11 Context

The first chapter of 2 Samuel describes the immediate aftermath of the tragic Battle of Gilboa, where King Saul and his son Jonathan were slain (1 Sam 31). An Amalekite soldier arrives, bringing what he claims is news of Saul's death and even stating that he delivered the fatal blow, presenting Saul's crown and armlet to David, likely expecting reward. However, instead of rejoicing at the demise of his persecutor, David reacts with profound sorrow and a traditional display of grief. This verse captures David's spontaneous and genuine response, demonstrating his deep respect for the sacred office of king and his loyalty to Jonathan, fundamentally shaping the perception of his character as he prepares to assume leadership.

2 Samuel 1 11 Word analysis

• Then David: This opening signals an immediate, decisive, and highly personal action from David. It emphasizes his leadership and direct engagement with the overwhelming news.
• took hold (Hebrew: וַיַּחֲזֵ֥ק vayyachazeq from the root חָזַק chazaq): Implies a firm, forceful grip. This was not a delicate or hesitant action, but a strong, deliberate grasp of his clothing before tearing. It conveys the intensity and earnestness of his distress, indicative of a spontaneous and powerful emotional response rather than a planned ritual.
• of his clothes (Hebrew: בִּבְגָדָ֖יו bivgadāw from בֶּגֶד beged): Refers to his outer garments or garments in general. Tearing one's own clothes was a direct and personal manifestation of deep sorrow and despair. The visible rending was a public signal of internal turmoil.
• and tore them (Hebrew: וַיִּקְרָעֵ֑ם vayyiqraʿem from קָרַע qaraʿ): This is the key action. Qaraʿ means to rip, rend, or tear into pieces. It was a customary act in ancient Israel (and wider ANE cultures) signifying profound grief, horror, shock, distress, remorse, or anger. The tear was often from the neck downwards, a public and unmistakable expression of severe mental anguish or calamitous news. The irreversibility of the act underscored the severity of the situation.
• and so did all the men: Highlights the collective nature of the grief and solidarity. This shows the influence of David's emotion upon his followers.
• who were with him: These were David's loyal companions, often "mighty men," who had shared his years of hardship while fleeing from Saul. Their shared, simultaneous act of mourning validates the profound impact of the news and their shared respect for the fallen king and prince. It reflects their unity with David's righteous sorrow.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them": This phrase dramatically sets the tone for David's genuine response to Saul and Jonathan's deaths. It refutes any implication that David would have rejoiced in his enemy's downfall, underscoring his integrity, deep emotional capacity, and reverence for God's anointed King. His immediate physical act makes his internal anguish outwardly apparent.
• "and so did all the men who were with him": This clause signifies collective lamentation and shared loyalty. It illustrates the profound impact of the news and David's example on his closest companions. It demonstrates unity in grief and solidifies the authenticity of the reported events, as his men corroborate his deep sorrow, establishing a unified stance against potential opportunism or malicious intent regarding Saul's death.

2 Samuel 1 11 Bonus section

• The Amalekite's expectation of reward from David (2 Sam 1:10) is utterly shattered by David's profound sorrow, emphasizing the moral chasm between David's principled response and the opportunism of the Amalekite. David subsequently executes the Amalekite, viewing his actions as striking down "the Lord's anointed" (2 Sam 1:14-16), further reinforcing the significance of David's tearful lament.
• While an outward act, the prophets like Joel (Joel 2:13) later emphasize that the physical tearing of garments should ideally reflect a deeper "rending of the heart" – a true inner sorrow and repentance before God, warning against mere performative rituals without genuine transformation. David's consistently depicted integrity throughout his life suggests his outward sorrow was a genuine reflection of his internal anguish.
• The severity of grief expressed through garment tearing underscores the national tragedy of Israel losing its king and heir in battle, a disaster David deeply internalized as a leader connected to the nation's destiny.

2 Samuel 1 11 Commentary

2 Samuel 1:11 immediately and profoundly establishes David's character at a pivotal moment. His spontaneous tearing of garments, mirrored by his loyal followers, was not a mere ritual but a heartfelt expression of immense sorrow and shock. This action immediately debunks any suspicion that David might secretly rejoice at the death of his tormentor, King Saul. Instead, David publicly mourned for the man who was God's anointed and for his beloved friend Jonathan. This genuine display of grief demonstrated his deep reverence for God's chosen king, even amidst Saul's pursuit of his life, solidifying his moral standing and validating his legitimacy for kingship. It signifies a ruler whose heart truly aligned with God's honor, transcending personal animosity and political ambition.