2 Samuel 12:16

Prayer Grief Fasting Parents and children

¹⁴ Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”

¹⁵ After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill.

David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground.

¹⁷ The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.

¹⁸ On the seventh day the child died. But David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Look, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to us. So how can we tell him the child is dead? He may even harm himself.”

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground.
KJV: David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
WEB: David therefore begged God for the child; and David fasted, and went in and lay all night on the ground.
ASV: David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
DARBY: And David besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth.
BLB: And David pleaded with God for the child, and David kept a fast, and he came in and spent the night and laid down [in sackcloth] on the ground.

ÅB: Og David søkte Gud for barnets skyld, og David fastet strengt, og hver gang han gikk inn, ble han liggende på jorden hele natten.
OTB: David ba derfor til Gud for barnet; og David fastet og gikk og lå på jorden hele natten.
B1930: Og David søkte Gud for barnets skyld, og David fastet strengt, og hver gang han gikk inn, blev han liggende på jorden hele natten.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Samuel 13:31
Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
Read in context
Jonah 3:9
Who knows? God may turn and relent; He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish.”
Read in context
Esther 4:16
“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
Read in context
1 Kings 21:27
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.
Read in context
2 Samuel 12:22
David answered, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let him live.’
Read in context
Isaiah 22:12
On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.
Read in context
Acts 9:9
For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.
Read in context
Psalms 50:15
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
Read in context