2 Samuel 3:31

²⁹ Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

³⁰ So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.

³² And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

³³ And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier.
KJV: And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
WEB: David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn in front of Abner.” King David followed the bier.
ASV: And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David followed the bier.
DARBY: And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David followed the bier.
BLB: And David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your⁺ clothes, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before the face of Abner.” And King David followed after the bier.

ÅB: Men David sa til Joab og alt folket som var hos ham: Sønderriv deres klær og bind sekk om dere og gå klagende foran Abner! Og kong David gikk selv etter båren.
OTB: Da instruerte David Joab og alle folket som var med ham, "Riv klærne deres og ta på sekkestrie, og sørg foran Abner." Og kong David gikk bak båren.
B1930: Men David sa til Joab og alt folket som var hos ham: Sønderriv eders klær og bind sekk om eder og gå klagende foran Abner! Og kong David gikk selv efter båren.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Genesis 37:34
And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
Read in context
2 Samuel 1:2
It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
Read in context
2 Samuel 1:11
Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
Read in context
Joshua 7:6
And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.
Read in context
Judges 11:35
And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.
Read in context
2 Kings 19:1
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
Read in context
Luke 7:14
And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
Read in context
Genesis 37:29
And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
Read in context