John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:31
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... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:30-39
Here is, I. The fright that David was put into by a false report brought to Jerusalem that Absalom had slain all the king's sons, 2 Sam. 13:30. It is common for fame to make bad worse; and the first news of such a thing as this represents it as more dreadful than afterwards it proves. Let us not therefore be afraid of evil tidings, while they want confirmation, but, when we hear the worst, hope the best, at least hope better. However, this false news gave as much affliction to David, for the... read more