2 Samuel 12:20-31

20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

21 His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”

22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’

23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him;

25 and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.^[a]

26 Meanwhile Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal citadel.

27 Joab then sent messengers to David, saying, “I have fought against Rabbah and taken its water supply.

28 Now muster the rest of the troops and besiege the city and capture it. Otherwise I will take the city, and it will be named after me.”

29 So David mustered the entire army and went to Rabbah, and attacked and captured it.

30 David took the crown from their king’s^[b] head, and it was placed on his own head. It weighed a talent^[c] of gold, and it was set with precious stones. David took a great quantity of plunder from the city

31 and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes, and he made them work at brickmaking.^[d] David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then he and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 12:20-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 12

Nathan is sent to David to charge him with his sin, and convince him of it by a parable, 2Sa 12:1-6; which being accommodated and applied to David's case, brought him to a conviction and acknowledgment of it, and repentance for it, which was forgiven him, 2Sa 12:7-13; though he is told the child begotten in adultery should die, and it was quickly struck with sickness and died; and David's behaviour during its sickness and at its death is recorded, 2Sa 12:14-23; after which Solomon was born to him of the same woman, and had the name of Jedidiah given him by the Lord, which signifies the beloved of the Lord, and as a token of reconciliation, and a confirmation of his sin being forgiven him, 2Sa 12:24,25; and the chapter is concluded with the taking of the city of Rabbah, and the spoil in it, and the usage of the inhabitants of it, 2Sa 12:26-31.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 6:17
• 2. S Genesis 41:14; Job 1:20
• 3. Judges 20:26
• 4. John 3:9
• 5. Isaiah 38:1-5
• 6. Genesis 37:35
• 7. S 1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 13:39; Job 7:10; Job 10:21
• 8. 1 Kings 1:11
• 9. 1 Kings 1:10; 1 Chronicles 22:9; 1 Chronicles 28:5; Matthew 1:6
• 10. Nehemiah 13:26
• 11. S Deuteronomy 3:11; 1 Chronicles 20:1-3
• 12. 1 Chronicles 20:2; Esther 8:15; Psalms 21:3; Psalms 132:18
• 13. S 1 Samuel 14:47

Footnotes

• [a]. "Jedidiah" means "loved by the " Lord"."
• [b]. Or "from Milkom’s" (that is, Molek’s)
• [c]. That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms
• [d]. The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.