And David went up by the ascent of [Mount] Olivet,.... So called from the olive trees that grew upon it, which is often mentioned in the New Testament, and where our Lord Jesus Christ, the antitype of David, often was, in his state of humiliation, Mt 26:30, and from whence he ascended to heaven after his resurrection, Ac 1:12; it was about a mile from Jerusalem, to the east of it:and wept as he went up; thinking perhaps of the wickedness and rebellion of his son, of his own hard case, to be obliged to quit his metropolis and palace, and make his flight afoot; and perhaps also of his own sins, which were the cause of his calamities:and had his head covered; with his mantle, with which he enwraped himself as a mourner, 2Sa 19:4; so the Egyptians used to cover their heads in mourning, and the Romans in later times ; so Megara in sorrowful circumstances is represented as having her head covered with a garment :and he went barefoot; in token of mourning also, and like one forlorn, and going into captivity, see Isa 20:2;and all the people that [was] with him covered every man his head; as David did, and in imitation of him, and sympathizing with him; and which was sometimes done when men were ashamed and confounded, Jer 14:3;and they went up, weeping as they went up; the mount of Olivet, grieved for their king, and the distresses and calamities that were coming upon them.
Vid. Solerium de Pileo, sect. 2. p. 14, 19. Senec. Hercul. furens, act.