2 Samuel 12:16-23

Loss of a Child

16

Then the LORD struck the child that Uriah's widow bore to David, so that he was very sick.

16 David therefore inquired of God for the child; and David ¹fasted * and went and ²lay all night on the ground.

17 ³The elders of his household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling * and would not eat food with them.

18 Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, "Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm!"

19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead."

20 So David arose from the ground, ⁴washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the LORD and ⁵worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate.

21 Then his servants said to him, "What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food."

22 He said, "While the child was still alive, ⁶I fasted and wept; for I said, '⁷Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.'

23 "But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? ⁸I will go to him, but ⁹he will not return to me."

2 Samuel 12:16-23 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. Nehemiah 1:4
• 2. 2 Samuel 13:31
• 3. Genesis 24:2
• 4. Ruth 3:3; Matthew 6:17
• 5. Psalms 95:6-8; Psalms 103:1, 8-17; Proverbs 3:7
• 6. Isaiah 38:1-3
• 7. Jonah 3:9
• 8. Genesis 37:35
• 9. Job 7:8-10

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "On account of"