The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 13:36Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And when he made an end of speaking, the king's sons also appeared: and coming in they lifted up their voice, and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very much.

Douay-Rheims

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ כְּכַלֹּת֣וֹ לְדַבֵּ֗ר וְהִנֵּ֤ה בְנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ בָּ֔אוּ וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ קוֹלָ֖ם וַיִּבְכּ֑וּ וְגַם־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְכָל־עֲבָדָ֔יו בָּכ֕וּ בְּכִ֖י גָּד֥וֹל מְאֹֽד׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Salvianus of Marseille

5th centuryCommentator

This account signifies the initial instance of divine retribution—a singular occurrence among many. A cascade of severe calamities ensued, bringing relentless suffering upon his household. Tamar was subjected to disgrace by Amnon's wickedness, while Absalom took the life of his brother. One sibling committed a heinous act, yet the retribution exacted by the other was even more barbaric. Consequently, David, their father, endured the consequences for both transgressions. Two sons strayed, yet three bore the weight of their wrongdoing; Tamar's purity was ravaged, and the loss of Absalom was lamented for Amnon. Truly, it is unclear for whom the father wept more: for the one who was slain at a brother's hand in this life or for the one who faced eternal demise due to his own actions.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.