E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Divers Colours [in garments].
We are told, in 2 Sam. xiii. 18, that kings’ daughters were arrayed in a garment of divers colours, and Dr. Shaw informs us that only virgins wore drawers of needle-work; so that when the mother of Sisera (Judges v. 30) says, “Have they not sped? Have they not divided the spoil? To Sisera a prey of divers colours, of divers colours of needle-work?” she means—is not the king’s daughter allotted to Sisera as a portion of his spoil? (See COAT OF MANY COLOURS.)
