2 Samuel 12:22

Prayer Hope Grief God's will and calling

²⁰ Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

²¹ Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

²³ But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

²⁴ And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.

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

Compare

BSB: 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.’
KJV: And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?
WEB: He said, “While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?’
ASV: And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knoweth whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?
DARBY: And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I thought, Who knows? [perhaps] Jehovah will be gracious to me, that the child may live.
BLB: And he said, “While the child was alive I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows that YHWH may be gracious, and the child may live?’

ÅB: Han svarte: Så lenge barnet var i live, fastet jeg og gråt; for jeg tenkte: Hvem vet om ikke Herren forbarmer seg over meg, så barnet blir i live?
OTB: Han sa, "Mens barnet ennå levde, fastet og gråt jeg; for jeg tenkte, 'Hvem vet, Herren kan være nådig mot meg, og barnet kan leve.'
B1930: Han svarte: Så lenge barnet var i live, fastet jeg og gråt; for jeg tenkte: Hvem vet om ikke Herren forbarmer sig over mig, så barnet blir i live?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 38:5
Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
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Isaiah 38:1–3
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
Read in context
Jonah 3:9–10
Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
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Joel 1:14
Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,
Read in context
Jonah 1:6
So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
Read in context
Joel 2:14
Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
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James 4:9–10
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
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Amos 5:15
Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Read in context