2 Samuel 12:15

¶ And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

And Nathan {H5416} departed {H3212} unto his house {H1004}. And the LORD {H3068} struck {H5062} the child {H3206} that Uriah's {H223} wife {H802} bare {H3205} unto David {H1732}, and it was very sick {H605}.

Then Natan returned to his house. ADONAI struck the child that Uriyah's wife had borne to David, and it became very ill.

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

And Nathan departed unto his house. And Jehovah struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

Commentary

2 Samuel 12:15 KJV marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of King David, illustrating the immediate and tragic consequences of his grievous sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah.

Context

This verse immediately follows the prophet Nathan’s direct confrontation with King David, where Nathan exposed David's hidden transgressions through a parable and then delivered a severe prophetic judgment from the Lord. David had confessed his sin (as seen in 2 Samuel 12:13), and Nathan had declared that David's life would be spared. However, because David's actions had given "great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme," the child born of this illicit union would surely die (2 Samuel 12:14). Verse 15 shows the swift and undeniable fulfillment of this prophecy as Nathan departs.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences of Sin: The central theme is God's direct intervention to bring judgment upon David's house as a consequence of his sin. While David was forgiven of the eternal penalty, the temporal consequences were severe and unavoidable. This highlights that even forgiveness does not always negate the earthly repercussions of one's actions.
  • God's Sovereignty and Justice: The phrase "the LORD struck the child" emphasizes that this was not a natural illness but a direct act of divine justice. God is sovereign over life and death, and He ensures that His word and His moral law are upheld.
  • The Far-Reaching Impact of Sin: The tragic suffering and death of an innocent child underscore how personal sin can have devastating ripple effects, impacting not only the sinner but also those around them, especially family. This is a stark reminder of the gravity of sin in God's eyes.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The verse demonstrates the immediate and accurate fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy, reinforcing the truthfulness of God's word spoken through His prophets.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "struck" is nagaph (נָגַף), which often describes a divine plague, smiting, or affliction. It signifies a direct, forceful act by God, not merely a natural occurrence. The description "very sick" (וַיֶּאֱסֹף - wayye'ĕsōp̄) implies a severe, life-threatening illness, suggesting the child was being "gathered" or brought to the brink of death.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a sobering reminder that while God is merciful and forgiving, sin has real and often painful consequences in this life. It teaches us the importance of understanding the wages of sin and the interconnectedness of our actions with the lives of others. Even if we confess and are forgiven, we must be prepared to face the natural and sometimes divinely ordained outcomes of our choices. It calls us to live with integrity, recognizing the potential ripple effect of every decision.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 25:38

    And it came to pass about ten days [after], that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.

  • Psalms 104:29

    Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

  • 1 Samuel 26:10

    David said furthermore, [As] the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

  • 2 Kings 15:5

    And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son [was] over the house, judging the people of the land.

  • Deuteronomy 32:39

    ¶ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

  • 2 Chronicles 13:20

    Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died.

  • Acts 12:23

    And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
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