2 Samuel 19 2

2 Samuel 19:2 kjv

And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.

2 Samuel 19:2 nkjv

So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, "The king is grieved for his son."

2 Samuel 19:2 niv

And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, "The king is grieving for his son."

2 Samuel 19:2 esv

So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, "The king is grieving for his son."

2 Samuel 19:2 nlt

As all the people heard of the king's deep grief for his son, the joy of that day's victory was turned into deep sadness.

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 2 Meaning

This verse poignantly describes how a day meant for celebration of military triumph was swiftly transformed into one of collective sorrow for all the people, primarily the victorious army. This drastic shift occurred because widespread reports reached the populace that King David was in deep mourning for his deceased son, Absalom. The victory, achieved at great cost, was overshadowed by the profound grief of their leader, undermining the morale and expected jubilation of his loyal subjects.

2 Samuel 19 2 Context

The immediate context of 2 Samuel 19:2 is the aftermath of the intense civil war between King David's forces and the rebel army led by his son, Absalom. David's forces, under Joab's command, have decisively won, resulting in the death of Absalom, despite David's direct order to spare his son. David's overwhelming, public lamentation for Absalom (recorded in 2 Sam 18:33) has just been reported throughout the victorious army. This verse highlights the profound ripple effect of the king's grief: the triumphant return of the loyal army was met not with cheers, but with a somber atmosphere. Historically and culturally, kings were expected to be stoic leaders, embodying the strength and joy of their nation in victory. David's overt and sustained personal mourning, to the exclusion of celebrating his army's fidelity and victory, was a deviation that significantly dampened morale and presented a grave threat to his reign's stability and the loyalty of his troops.

2 Samuel 19 2 Word analysis

• The victory: (Hebrew: tĕshûʿâ) This term signifies "salvation," "deliverance," or "help." While a military win here, it often carries connotations of divine aid and rescue. The irony is heightened as this God-granted success leads to human distress.
• that day: Specifies a concrete, immediate event, marking a swift and profound change in the prevailing mood and atmosphere.
• was turned: (Hebrew: hāp̄aḵ) A strong verb meaning "to turn," "overturn," "change," or "transform." It implies a radical and complete reversal, a dramatic shift from one state (victory celebration) to its antithesis (mourning).
• into mourning: (Hebrew: ʾēḇel) Refers to lamentation, deep sorrow, often accompanied by specific rites and expressions of grief. It represents a state of profound sadness.
• for all the people: Emphasizes the widespread impact, not just a small group or David's immediate family. It includes the soldiers who risked their lives for him and the populace awaiting their triumphant king.
• because the people heard it said,: This phrase highlights that the king's grief was not a private matter but widely disseminated and common knowledge. It was through verbal report, demonstrating the power of news and perception on public morale.
• “The king is grieving: (Hebrew: hammeleḵ mittəʾabbēl) "The king is mourning" or "is in the act of mourning." The use of the Hithpael stem for "grieving" ('abal) suggests an ongoing, intensive, and self-afflicting nature of David's sorrow, a state he remained in.
• over his son.”: This simple phrase explicitly states the cause of David's grief – his rebellious son, Absalom. It highlights David's personal anguish, even for one who sought to usurp his throne and take his life.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "The victory...was turned into mourning": This phrase encapsulates the central paradox of the verse. What should have been a day of immense rejoicing became its opposite. It demonstrates how external circumstances can be radically reinterpreted and re-experienced based on a leader's internal state.
  • "for all the people, because the people heard it said...": This linkage emphasizes the powerful influence of a leader's known state on collective morale. It's the knowledge of David's personal grief, rather than the battle's outcome itself, that dictates the public's emotional response. This underscores the profound connection between leadership and national sentiment.

2 Samuel 19 2 Bonus section

The passage implicitly critiques leadership that allows personal emotion to compromise public responsibility. While David's grief for his son is deeply human and relatable, his inability or unwillingness to transcend it in his role as king threatened to undo the loyalty and gains of his victorious forces. This illustrates that a leader's perceived strength and resolve are as crucial to the well-being of the nation as military success. The silence and absence of jubilation after such a momentous victory was deeply unnatural and served as a tangible manifestation of the internal confusion and distress caused by David's grief.

2 Samuel 19 2 Commentary

This concise verse dramatically portrays the sudden collapse of celebratory morale. The victory was a divine deliverance, yet David's unbridled sorrow for Absalom cast a pall over the entire nation. It illustrates the critical interdependence between a leader's emotional state and the morale of the led, demonstrating that personal grief, when excessively and publicly displayed by a king, can overshadow national triumphs and undermine authority. The army, expecting recognition and communal joy, found itself bewildered by the silence and the pervading sadness of their sovereign. This psychological defeat in the midst of military victory posed an immediate crisis for David's kingdom, signaling a need for leadership that prioritizes public duty over personal lamentation.