1. 1 Samuel 4:12 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why did the messenger tear his clothes and put dirt on his head?

1 Samuel 4:12 (ESV)

12 A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head.

Tearing clothes and putting dirt or ashes on the head was a normal reaction to grief and horror in the Old Testament (see 2 Samuel 13:19; 2 Samuel 15:32; Joshua 7:6).1