Bereavement, experience of

Scripture gives many examples of how people respond to the death of those they love.

The experience of bereavement

Abraham

Now Sarah lived to be 127 years old. She died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went out to mourn and to weep for her.

Jacob

Genesis 37:35 See also Genesis 42:38, Genesis 48:7

All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No, ” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.

Joseph

Genesis 50:10

When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days.

David

2 Samuel 18:33 See also 2 Samuel 1:11–12, 2 Samuel 3:32, 2 Samuel 12:15–21

The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Job

Job 1:20 At the news of the deaths of his sons and daughters. See also Job 17:7

Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

Jesus Christ

John 11:35 Because of the death of his friend, Lazarus.

Jesus wept.

The early Christians

Acts 8:2 See also Acts 9:39

God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.

The expression of grief

Genesis 37:34; Psalm 31:9 See also Deuteronomy 34:8; 1 Samuel 2:33; 2 Samuel 1:17, 2 Samuel 3:31–34, 2 Samuel 14:2; 2 Chronicles 35:25; Psalm 35:14; Isaiah 16:7; Lamentations 3:48; Ezekiel 24:17; Zechariah 12:10 prediction of mourning for the Messiah; Philippians 2:27

Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes fail from sorrow, my soul and body as well.

Grief passes with time

Genesis 24:67, Genesis 38:12; 2 Samuel 12:24