And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Tear your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the coffin.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Joab. Requiring him to make some reparation, at least, for the offence, and to render the funeral pomp more solemn. All were obliged to rend their garments, and to put on sackcloth, on such occasions. It was very rough, and consisted chiefly of goat and camel's hair.
Bier, contrary to the custom of kings. Some copies of the Septuagint say, he "went before the bier "(Calmet) where women commonly were placed. (Grotius)
