1. 2 Samuel 1:2 (ESV)
  2. Eksposisi

Why did the man have torn clothes and dust on his head?

2 Samuel 1:2 (ESV)

2 And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage.

The man displayed the customary outward signs of grief (1 Samuel 4:12; 2 Samuel 13:31; Job 2:12). Such dress was very appropriate given the recent defeat of Israel in battle.1