2 Samuel 19 1

2 Samuel 19:1 kjv

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.

2 Samuel 19:1 nkjv

And Joab was told, "Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom."

2 Samuel 19:1 niv

Joab was told, "The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom."

2 Samuel 19:1 esv

It was told Joab, "Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom."

2 Samuel 19:1 nlt

Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom.

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 1 Meaning

Second Samuel 19:1 reveals the profound and continuing grief of King David following the death of his rebellious son, Absalom. Despite Absalom's leading a bloody insurrection that sought to overthrow and even kill his father, David is consumed by sorrow for his lost child. This verse highlights the tension between David's roles as a loving father and a reigning monarch, whose public mourning for a traitor posed a direct challenge to the morale of his loyal troops and the stability of his kingdom. It sets the immediate stage for the crucial intervention of Joab, David's commander, who understands the practical necessities of leadership amidst personal tragedy.

2 Samuel 19 1 Context

Chapter 19 of 2 Samuel immediately follows the climactic battle where David's forces, led by Joab, defeated Absalom's rebellious army. Chapter 18 ends with Absalom's death at Joab's hands, despite David's express command to spare his son. David's response upon hearing the news is utter devastation, weeping openly and repeatedly wishing he had died instead of Absalom. This public display of grief for a deceased rebel deeply demoralized David's loyal soldiers who had risked their lives for him. Their victory felt like defeat, turning joy into mourning.

Historically, this event occurs at a critical juncture in David's reign. The civil war initiated by Absalom threatened to fracture the nascent united kingdom. The aftermath required strong, decisive leadership to consolidate power, reconcile factions, and restore order. David's intense, personal sorrow, while understandable as a father, was counterproductive to his kingly duties. It risked alienating the very people who had fought and won his war for him, potentially sowing seeds for future discontent. The cultural context in ancient Israel expected a king to embody strength and justice, especially in the wake of such a significant victory. David's actions directly defied these expectations, leading to Joab's sharp intervention in the verses that follow.

2 Samuel 19 1 Word analysis

• And Joab: (וְיוֹאָב - veyo'av). Joab, David's military commander, is a pragmatic and often ruthless leader, intensely loyal to David but willing to act contrary to David's direct orders when he perceives it is for the good of the kingdom or David's own interest. His character sets up the impending confrontation.

• was told: (הֻגַּד - huggad). This is a passive Niphal form of the Hebrew verb nagad (to tell, report). It indicates that the information was communicated to him, highlighting the rapid dissemination of news in the aftermath of a major battle. The passivity suggests the news was perhaps relayed by common soldiers or couriers.

• 'Behold: (הִנֵּה - hinneh). An emphatic particle often translated "look!" or "indeed." It draws immediate attention to the shocking or significant information that follows. It signals a critical revelation for Joab, compelling his urgent consideration.

• the king: (הַמֶּלֶךְ - hammelekh). Referring to David. The definite article "the" emphasizes his position, not just as a grieving father, but as the reigning monarch whose state has immediate political ramifications for the nation.

• is weeping: (בֹּכֶה - bokheh). A Qal participle of the verb bakah (to weep, cry). The participle form denotes continuous action. David was not merely shedding a few tears but was in an ongoing state of weeping, indicating profound and prolonged distress.

• and mourning: (וּמִתְאַבֵּל - ūmit'abbel). A Hitpael participle of abal (to mourn, grieve). The Hitpael stem implies a reflexive, intensive, or even a public display of grief. It suggests a deep internal anguish made visible, signaling a formalized or extended period of mourning beyond simple weeping. Together with "weeping," it emphasizes the comprehensive and intense nature of David's sorrow.

• for Absalom': (עַל־אַבְשָׁלֹם - 'al-'Avshalom). The preposition 'al here means "concerning" or "on account of." It explicitly names the object of David's grief, pinpointing the source of his sorrow, a crucial detail given Absalom's role as a rebel. This deep attachment despite treason is striking.

• "And Joab was told": This phrase immediately establishes Joab as a key figure receiving crucial intelligence. The passive voice ("was told") implies the widespread and public nature of David's mourning, suggesting it was evident to many, not a private sorrow.

• "the king is weeping and mourning": This grouping of words stresses the state David is in, using two distinct verbs for grief to convey its intensity and pervasive nature. "The king" juxtaposed with such overwhelming grief highlights the incongruity of David's royal role with his current emotional display, especially given who he is weeping for.

• "weeping and mourning for Absalom": This segment pinpoints the reason for David's distress. The specific mention of Absalom – the defeated rebel son – highlights the tension between familial love and political necessity. David's sorrow for his antagonist raises questions about leadership, justice, and personal attachment in the face of national well-being.

2 Samuel 19 1 Bonus section

The profound contrast between David's overwhelming sorrow for Absalom and the military victory is a major theme explored by scholars. David's reaction can be seen as:

• Parental Love: An undeniable bond of fatherhood, transcending the treachery Absalom inflicted. This showcases a human frailty in David, making him relatable despite his monumental status.
• Consequence of His Own Sins: Some interpretations link David's suffering here to Nathan's prophecy regarding the sword never departing his house (2 Sam 12:10), a result of his sin with Bathsheba. Absalom's death, while a judgment on Absalom's rebellion, also became a deeply personal judgment for David, reminding him of his past actions.
• Leadership Crisis: David's inability to reconcile his private pain with his public duty led to a significant morale issue for his soldiers, turning a victory parade into a funeral procession. This critical point of failure in leadership ultimately required external intervention (Joab's strong rebuke) to rectify.
• Paradox of Victory: For the soldiers who risked their lives, David’s lament over their defeated enemy, who sought his life, must have felt like a profound betrayal or a complete lack of appreciation for their loyalty and sacrifice. This emotional landscape necessitated immediate addressing to avoid widespread disaffection and potential mutiny.

2 Samuel 19 1 Commentary

2 Samuel 19:1 starkly opens the complex aftermath of Absalom’s rebellion, presenting David as consumed by raw, unrestrained grief for his son, a defeated traitor. This intense sorrow is not hidden; it’s publicly known, reaching Joab, his chief commander. The emotional depth conveyed by "weeping and mourning" reflects a father’s aching heart, a common human experience. However, in the context of David’s kingship, this was a profoundly problematic display. David's mourning for Absalom, instead of celebrating the victory that preserved his throne and the lives of his loyal soldiers, created a paradox: a triumphant army felt ashamed and despondent, and the future of the kingdom felt uncertain due to its king’s incapacitation by sorrow. This verse encapsulates the tension between David's deeply personal grief and his royal duty, setting the stage for Joab’s decisive intervention. It subtly implies that unchecked personal emotion, even justifiable sorrow, can threaten the very stability a leader is tasked to uphold.