David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot. All the people who were with him each covered his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
Parallel Translations
-
David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot. All the people who were with him each covered his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
-
And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
-
And David went up by the ascent of the mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot; and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
Cross-references (19)
Passages linked to 2 Samuel 15:30 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Esther 6:12 Mordecai came back to the king’s gate, but Haman hurried to his house, mourning and having his head covered.
- 2 Samuel 19:4 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!”
- Luke 19:41 When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it,
- Isaiah 20:2-4 at that time Yahweh spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loosen the sackcloth from off your waist, and take your sandals from off your feet.” He did so, walking naked and barefoot. Yahweh said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia, so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
- Jeremiah 14:3-4 Their nobles send their little ones to the waters. They come to the cisterns, and find no water. They return with their vessels empty. They are disappointed and confounded, and cover their heads. Because of the ground which is cracked, because no rain has been in the land, the plowmen are disappointed. They cover their heads.
- Ezekiel 24:17 Sigh, but not aloud. Make no mourning for the dead. Bind your headdress on you, and put your sandals on your feet. Don’t cover your lips, and don’t eat mourner’s bread.”
- Ezekiel 24:23 Your turbans will be on your heads, and your sandals on your feet. You won’t mourn or weep; but you will pine away in your iniquities, and moan one toward another.
- Zechariah 14:4 His feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in two, from east to west, making a very great valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
- Luke 19:29 When he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples,
- Luke 19:37 As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen,
- Luke 21:37 Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet.
- Luke 22:39 He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.
- Acts 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
- Psalms 42:3–43:2 My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?” These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, how I used to go with the crowd, and led them to God’s house, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day. Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence. My God, my soul is in despair within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from the hill Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have swept over me. Yahweh will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: a prayer to the God of my life. I will ask God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?” Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God. Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men. For you are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
- Psalms 43:5 Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him: my Savior, my helper, and my God.
- Psalms 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.
- Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
- 1 Corinthians 12:26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (14 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain With ashes and dust in sign of sorrow.
With ashes and dust in sign of sorrow.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 2Sa 15:30 And David went up by the ascent…
2Sa 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of [mount] Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that [was] with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
Ver. 30. And wept as he went up.] Bewailing his own sins, and the deplorable state of the commonwealth at that time.
Read full note →
And had his head covered.] As was and is still the guise and garb of mourners, {2Sa 19:4 Est 6:12 Jer 14:3} partly for secrecy’s sake, and partly for seriousness, that their minds might not be diverted or distracted. For which cause also our modern Jews do in their synagogues put on each man his taleth or square vestment, turning it back about their neck, that so they may be the more attentive at their prayers, without looking aside any way. {a}
And he went barefoot.] In token of sorrow and shame. {Isa 20:3-4} Whether his bare feet by the hard stones were forced to yield bloody tokens of his humiliation, as our Henry II did when he went on pilgrimage to Becket’s sepulchre, {b} we have not to say. Muleasses, king of Tunis, fleeing from his son Amida (another Absalom), was betrayed and taken by the sweet odours he had about him, and could not be without, no not in so great a danger.
And all the people.] Regis ad exemplum, &c. They sympathised.
{a} Leo Modena.
{b} Daniel.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain He went barefoot, in testimony of his deep sorrow,…
He went barefoot, in testimony of his deep sorrow, and humiliation and shame for his sins, whereby he had procured, this evil to himself; for these were the habits of mourners, 2Sa 19:4; Est 6:12; Isa 20:3,4; Jer 14:3,4; and to take a holy revenge upon himself for his former delicacy and luxury.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And David went up by the ascent of Mount…
And David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet,.... So called from the olive trees that grew upon it, which is often mentioned in the New Testament, and where our Lord Jesus Christ, the antitype of David, often was, in his state of humiliation, Mat 26:30, and from whence he ascended to heaven after his resurrection, Act 1:12; it was about a mile from Jerusalem, to the east of it:
and wept as he went up; thinking perhaps of the wickedness and rebellion of his son, of his own hard case, to be obliged to quit his metropolis and palace, and make his flight afoot; and perhaps also of his own sins, which were the cause of his calamities:
Read full note →
and had his head covered; with his mantle, with which he enwraped himself as a mourner, Sa2 19:4; so the Egyptians used to cover their heads in mourning, and the Romans in later times (q); so Megara in sorrowful circumstances is represented as having her head covered with a garment (r):
and he went barefoot; in token of mourning also, and like one forlorn, and going into captivity, see Isa 20:2,
and all the people that was with him covered every man his head; as David did, and in imitation of him, and sympathizing with him; and which was sometimes done when men were ashamed and confounded, Jer 14:3,
and they went up, weeping as they went up; the mount of Olivet, grieved for their king, and the distresses and calamities that were coming upon them.
(q) Vid. Solerium de Pileo, sect. 2. p. 14, 19. (r) Senec. Hercul. furens, act. 2.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Barefoot - In testimony of his deep sorrow, and…
Barefoot - In testimony of his deep sorrow, and humiliation and shame for his sins.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 30. Had his head covered] This was not…
Verse 30. Had his head covered] This was not only the attitude of a mourner, but even of a culprit; they usually had their heads covered when condemned. See the case of Haman. When the king had pronounced his condemnation, they immediately covered his face, and led him out to punishment; Es 7:8. See also Quintus Curtius, De Philota, cap. vi.: I, Lictor; caput obnubito.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain 2Sa 15:30. David went up by the ascent of…
2Sa 15:30. David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up — To think that one who was the offspring of his own body should thus lift up the heel against him, and reflecting on his own conduct in the matter of Uriah, as the cause of this calamity. And had his head covered — Through shame and confusion. And he went up barefoot — In testimony of his deep sorrow and humiliation for the sins whereby he had procured this evil to himself; for these were the habits of mourners; and to take a holy revenge upon himself for his former delicacy and luxury. “A more memorable event, surely, was never recorded in history, nor a more moving spectacle exhibited to mortal eyes! A king, venerable for his years and victories; sacred in the characters, both of his piety and prophecy; renowned for prowess, and revered for wisdom, reduced to the condition of a fugitive! to a sudden and extreme necessity of fleeing for his life, from the presence of his own son, his darling and delight; and a whole country loudly lamenting his fate! In this condition, David went up the mount, and when he reached the summit of it, fell down prostrate before God. Josephus tells us, that when David reached the top of the mountain, he took a view of the city, and prayed to God with abundance of tears. The reader will perhaps think it worth his notice, that Josephus should tell us, that David wept and viewed the city in the same spot from which, the evangelist informs us, our blessed Saviour wept over it.” — Delaney. And is this the glorious king of Israel, the beloved of God, the wise, the victorious David, who slew his ten thousands? Strange change indeed! What has produced this sad reverse? Sin alone has wrought all this! These are its baneful effects: he forgot the commandment of the Lord his God, and from hence has flowed all this evil! You that plead an excuse for sin, because David, the man after God’s own heart, fell into it; remember, likewise, what bitter and grievous punishments he underwent for it. Are you willing to pay such a price for sin? And yet, be assured, the inviolable laws of God require you to pay it in one way or other.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain His head covered - See the marginal references and…
His head covered - See the marginal references and Jer 14:3-4; Eze 24:17; the sign of deep mourning.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Weeping, &c. David on this occasion wept for his…
Weeping, &c. David on this occasion wept for his sins, which he knew were the cause of all his sufferings. (Challoner) --- Barefoot, like a criminal, or one in mourning, Isaias xx. 4., and Ezechiel xxiv. 17. (Calmet) --- Covered, that the people might not see him. (Worthington)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet--The…
David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet--The same pathway over that mount has been followed ever since that memorable day.
had his head covered--with a mourning wrapper. The humility and resignation of David marked strongly his sanctified spirit, induced by contrition for his transgressions. He had fallen, but it was the fall of the upright; and he rose again, submitting himself meekly in the meantime to the will of God [CHALMERS].
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 30. Head covered… barefoot… weeping — Thus both the…
30. Head covered… barefoot… weeping — Thus both the king and his people in deep self-abasement humble themselves before the penal chastisements of God.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 30–37. Hushai commissioned to defeat Ahithophel
30–37. Hushai commissioned to defeat Ahithophel
30. the ascent of mount Olivet] Lit. by the ascent of Olives: the name mount Olivet is derived from mons oliveti in the Vulgate of Act_1:12. The “mount of Olives” is the ridge which rises on the east of Jerusalem above the Kidron ravine, screening the city from the desert country beyond. With the exception of this touching scene, there is little of interest connected with the Mount of Olives in the O. T. On it, perhaps on the spot already consecrated for worship (2Sa_15:32), Solomon erected high places for the false gods of his foreign wives (1Ki_11:7-8), which were desecrated long afterwards by Josiah (2Ki_23:13-14). A passing allusion to the woods which covered it (Neh_8:15), and the details of the scenery in two prophetic visions (Eze_11:23; Zec_14:4), complete the references to it in the O. T. “Its lasting glory belongs not to the Old Dispensation but to the New.” See Stanley’s Sinai and Pal. p. 185 ff.
Read full note →
had his head covered, and he went barefoot] The muffled head marks the deep grief which shuts itself up from the outer world: the bare feet—still a sign of mourning in the East—betoken affliction, self-humiliation, penitence. Cp ch. 2Sa_19:4; Est_6:12; Eze_24:17.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain The ascent of mount Olivet; Hebrew, the ascent of…
The ascent of mount Olivet; Hebrew, the ascent of the olive trees. The hill never was called Olivet, which is a word formed from the Latin mons oliveti, the mount of the olive grove. David had his head covered. This was a sign of grief among the Persians, Egyptians, and Romans, as well as the Hebrews, (for whom see Eze_24:17) it being originally a natural movement to conceal an outburst of tears. So we in great sorrow bury our faces in our hands. In this mark of mourning all joined, but David added the going barefoot as a sign of deeper humiliation. According to the Jewish Midrash, it was upon the Mount of Olives that David composed the third psalm. More probably it was at the fords of the Jordan, after David, wearied with the fatigues of the march, had enjoyed a short refreshing slumber, and while he was waiting for his two young friends, that he comforted himself by this outpouring of his heart to God.
David"s tears or Olivet.
Read full note →
1. What a scene of fallen greatness and bitter grief is here depicted! Hewho yesterday reigned in Jerusalem, as the anointed (Messiah) of Jehovah, is today a homeless fugitive (ver. 20), toiling up the ascent of Olivet, in deep humiliation and undisguised sorrow, with head covered (2Sa_3:31, 32 19:4) and feet bare; accompanied by stern warriors and tender women and children, all, like himself, with covered heads "going and weeping." It is "as one long funeral procession of men wailing over the fall of all their hopes" (Plumptre).
2. What an instance of moral excellence and overcoming faith is hereafforded! "The greatness of David did not depend on his royal state; it was within his lofty soul and inseparable from his commanding character" (Milman). He is considerate, generous (ver. 19), submissive (ver. 26), prayerful (ver. 31), grateful, (2Sa_16:4) forbearing, (2Sa_16:10) and hopeful. (2Sa_16:12) His suffering manifests his sincerity, his outward shame his inward worth; and "out of the depths" of his trouble he rises to the loftiest elevation (Psa_130:1 Psa_84:6; 2Sa_23:13, 2Sa_23:14; Hos_2:15)
3. What an outline is here furnished of the ideal representation, given by psalmist and prophet, of the suffering Servant of Jehovah, (Ps 22 Isa 53) and fully realized in him who, on the same spot, a thousand years afterwards, wept over the sinning and perishing city! "And when he was come near," etc.. (Luk_19:41-44 Luk_23:27-31) Consider
I THE SORROWS OF DAVID. Why did he weep? Not so much on account of his exile, privation, etc., as on account of:
1. The grievous transgressions which he had formerly committed, (Psa_39:12 Psa_6:6) and which were now brought afresh to remembrance. "My sin is ever before me.
1. The ungrateful treatment which he received, from his son whom he tenderly loved, (2Sa_16:11) from his subjects whom he faithfully served, from his adversaries who hated him "wrongfully" and "without a cause". (Psa_69:3-5) Neither his former transgressions nor his recent defects justified rebellion against his authority as king. Indeed, his personal piety and theocratic policy made him to many an object of hatred and reproach; and in him the Divine King of Israel himself was
2. despised. (Psa_5:10 Psa_22:8 Psa_42:3 Psa_69:7, Psa_69:9, Psa_69:20) "Though David suffered for his many sins, he had yet through penitence already obtained forgiveness of sins. Thus he was the righteous sufferer, who could appeal to God for the purity of his heart and the holiness of his cause" (Erdmann).
3. The national calamity which he beheld the distress of "all the people that was with him" (ver. 23), the distracted condition of the country, the ruin which thousands would, bring upon themselves: filling him with commiseration: (1Sa_15:35 Psa_119:136)
4. The Divine displeasure which he experienced against his sin and the sins of the people; regarding this calamity as a sign thereof, enduring it in common with them, and bearing it, as far as possible, in his own person. (2Sa_24:17) "Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow," etc. (Lam_1:12; Jer_9:1) "When I fall I shall arise," etc. (Mic_7:8, Mic_7:9; Psa_31:5)
II THE SORROWS OF CHRIST; arising from:
1. His relation to a sinful race, whose nature he assumed and among whom he dwelt, "yet without sin;" the suffering "which a pure and holy nature must feel from the mere contiguity of evil; and the reflected and borrowed shame and pain which noble natures feel for the sins of those with whom they are closely connected" (Caird).
2. His rejection by the world, which he came to save; being reproached, persecuted, betrayed, deserted, condemned, and crucified; and thus made the victim of human wickedness. His righteousness and love, his Divine dignity, as the Son of God, the King Messiah, (2Sa_7:16) rendered his treatment peculiarly sinful, and reveals the sin of men in its true light.
3. His compassion for human misery loss, suffering, bondage, death, in the present and the future; the necessary fruit of human sin (Joh_11:35; Luk_13:34, Luk_13:35)
4. His endurance of Divine abandonment to the power of darkness and (Psa_22:1; Luk_22:44; Mar_15:34; Heb_5:7) wherein (without the sense of personal guilt and remorse) he gathered into his experience all the griefs endured by the servants of God in all ages from and for transgressors, and all the woes of humanity arising from alienation from God; and whereby, in unfaltering trust and entire self devotion, he fulfilled the Father"s will, overcame sin, death, and hell, and "became unto all them that obey him the Author of eternal salvation." "The chastisement was laid upon him for our peace; and through his stripes we were healed" (Isa_53:5, Isa_53:10; Psa_22:8, Psa_22:16, Psa_22:18, Psa_22:24-31)
III THE SORROWS OF THE CHRISTIAN. For everyone who follows Christ must tread the path of sorrows (not only such as are natural, bat such as are spiritual and Divine), on account of:
1. The manifold sins of which he has been guilty against the Lord. (Mat_5:4)
We have not time to mourn. The worse for us. He that lacks time to mourn lacks time to mend; Eternity mourns that. ("Philip van Artevelde.")
2. The evil effects wrought thereby in himself and others.
Weep not for broad lands lost; Weep not for fair hopes crost; Weep not when limbs wax old; Weep not when friends grow cold; Weep not that death must part Thine and the best loved heart; Yet weep, weep all thou can Weep, weep, because thou art A sin-defiled man. (Trench.)
3. The sinful opposition of men to Christ, his kingdom, and his people; unbelief, enmity, and persecution; the effects of which he shares with his Lord and for his sake (Joh_16:33; 1Pe_4:13; Col_1:24) "For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping," etc.. (Php_3:18)
4. The miserable condition and gloomy prospects of the impenitent. He mourns over them "with many tears" (Act_20:19, Act_20:31) "in the tender mercies of Jesus Christ", (Php_1:8) and is willing to undergo the greatest sacrifice and suffering for their salvation. (Rom_9:2, Rom_9:3) "If we suffer we shall also reign with him". D. (1Ti_5:12)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 wearing no shoes or sandals
barefoot
wearing no shoes or sandals
Read full note →
his head covered
This is a sign of mourning and shame. AT: "his head covered in mourning" (See: Symbolic Action)
Ahithophel
See how you translated this man's name in 2 Samuel 15:11.
conspirators
people who join together against someone else
please turn Ahithophel's advice into foolishness
David is asking Yahweh to make Ahitohphel's advice foolish and useless. AT: "please let whatever advice Ahithophel gives be foolishness and unsuccessful" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
translationWords
Mount of Olives
Absalom
pray
Yahweh
turn
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.