And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
The ascent of mount Olivet - so called from its olive groves. Its situation is east of Jerusalem, from which it is separated by the valley of Jehoshaphat and the brook Kidron. Josephus reckons the distance at five stadia ('Antiquities,' b. 20:, ch. 6:), and Luke (Acts 1:12) says it was a Sabbath day's journey, namely, to the top. The same pathway over that mount has been followed ever since that memorable day.
Had his head covered - with a mourning wrapper (cf. 2 Samuel 19:4; Esther 6:12; Ezekiel 12:6). The humility and resignation of David marked strongly his sanctified spirit, induced by contrition for his transgressions. He had fallen, but it was the fall of the upright; and he rose again, submitting himself meekly in the meantime to the will of God (Chalmers). See examples of king Darius having his head covered, Q. Curtius, lib. 4:, cap.
10., sec. 33; and lib. 5:, cap. 12, sec. 8.
And he went barefoot. Walking barefoot was a token of profound distress-all the more significant that the barefooted pedestrian was of high rank. Anciently persons of station and opulence wore shoes formed of very costly materials, ornamented with gold, silver, or jewels. On the occurrence of some calamity, public or private, the mourners divested themselves of all their ornaments, down to their shoes, and walked barefoot (see Bynoeus de Calceis. 'Hebraeorum,' lib. 2:, cap. 5; Braunius de Vestitu, 'Sacerd. Hebr.,' pp. 45, 46; Guier, 'De Luctu,' cap. 15:, sec. 4).