Bible · NudgeRead the passage
2 Samuel 12:23
But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
What was happening around this
David speaks to his servants after the death of Bathsheba’s infant. The narrative before it connects the death to Nathan’s judgement following David’s acts against Uriah.
The verses on either side
- Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into Yahweh’s house, and worshiped. Then he came to his own house; and when he requested, they set bread before him, and he ate.
- Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child was dead, you rose up and ate bread.”
- He said, “While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows whether Yahweh will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?’
- But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
- David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her. She bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Yahweh loved him;
- and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah, for Yahweh’s sake.
- Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
Where this comes up