2 Samuel 19:24-30

Mephibosheth's meeting with David

24. had neither dressed his feet, &c. The neglect of his person, the unwashed feet, the untrimmed moustache, the soiled garments, were outward signs of extreme grief. Cp. ch. 2 Samuel 12:20; Ezekiel 24:17. The Sept. adds "nor trimmed his nails," after "dressed his feet" (see Deuteronomy 21:12), but the words are perhaps only a duplicate rendering of the Hebrew.

beard Properly moustache. The word occurs elsewhere only in connexion with the custom of covering the upper lip or moustache in mourning. See Leviticus 13:45; Ezekiel 24:17; Ezekiel 24:22; Micah 3:7.