2 Samuel 12:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 12:15 marks the immediate and tragic fulfillment of divine judgment pronounced by the prophet Nathan upon King David for his egregious sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. As Nathan departs, the narrative swiftly turns to the Lord's direct intervention, striking the child born of David's illicit union, causing it to become gravely ill, thereby initiating the promised temporal consequences upon David's household despite his confession and the sparing of his own life. This verse underscores the gravity of sin and the unwavering justice of God, even amidst His mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded in the intense climax of Nathan's confrontation with King David following David's sins concerning Bathsheba and Uriah. The preceding narrative in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah") details David's adultery and his calculated murder of Uriah, Bathsheba's husband. In [2 Samuel 12:1-12](/2_samuel/12-12 "2 Samuel 12:1-12 - Nathan's Parable and Accusation"), Nathan delivers a powerful parable that leads David to unwittingly condemn himself. Upon David's heartfelt confession in [2 Samuel 12:13](/2_samuel/12-13 "2 Samuel 12:13 - David's Confession and Forgiveness"), Nathan declares God's forgiveness for David's life, stating, "The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die." However, this declaration of forgiveness is immediately followed by a severe pronouncement in [2 Samuel 12:14](/2_samuel/12-14 "2 Samuel 12:14 - The Prophecy of Judgment"): 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. Verse 15, therefore, is not merely a consequence but the swift, undeniable, and direct fulfillment of this specific prophecy, underscoring the immediate and tangible nature of God's word and judgment. The narrative flow emphasizes the direct link between David's sin, God's pronouncement, and the tragic outcome, setting the stage for further turmoil within David's household as prophesied in [2 Samuel 12:10-11](/2_samuel/12-10-11 "2 Samuel 12:10-11 - Sword Shall Never Depart from David's House").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, especially within the context of the Davidic monarchy, the king's actions carried immense weight, not only personally but corporately. A king was understood to be God's anointed, and his moral conduct reflected upon the entire nation and the honor of God. David's sins of adultery and murder were not merely private transgressions but public affronts to God's law and the covenant, particularly as they involved a loyal soldier and his wife. The concept of "corporate solidarity" meant that the sins of a leader could bring consequences upon their family or even the community. The role of a prophet like Nathan was crucial; they served as God's direct voice, even to the most powerful king, holding him accountable to divine standards. The immediate illness and death of the child, attributed directly to "the LORD struck," would have been understood by the original audience as a clear act of divine judgment, demonstrating God's sovereignty over life and death and His unwavering commitment to justice. This challenging theme of the innocent suffering for the sins of the guilty, while difficult for modern sensibilities, was a recognized aspect of divine judgment in the Old Testament, emphasizing the pervasive and devastating nature of sin.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "The Book of 2 Samuel") and broader biblical theology. It highlights the **Divine Judgment and Consequences of Sin**, demonstrating that while God is merciful and offers forgiveness for the eternal penalty of sin (as David's life was spared, according to [2 Samuel 12:13](/2_samuel/12-13 "2 Samuel 12:13 - David's Forgiveness")), there are often severe temporal consequences that even sincere repentance cannot always avert. This underscores the gravity of sin in God's eyes and the principle that "whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" ([Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")). It also emphasizes **God's Sovereignty and Justice**, as the text explicitly states "the LORD struck the child," leaving no doubt that this was a direct, intentional act of divine justice, not a natural occurrence. The tragic suffering and death of an innocent child further illustrate the **Far-Reaching Impact of Sin**, showing how personal transgressions can have devastating ripple effects, impacting not only the sinner but also those around them, particularly family members, a theme echoed in [Exodus 20:5](/exodus/20-5 "Exodus 20:5 - Visiting Iniquity to the Third and Fourth Generation"). Finally, the verse serves as a stark example of the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, reinforcing the truthfulness and reliability of God's word spoken through His prophets, as the judgment pronounced in [2 Samuel 12:14](/2_samuel/12-14 "2 Samuel 12:14 - Nathan's Prophecy") is immediately and undeniably realized.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **struck (Hebrew, _nâgaph'_):** From H5062, a primitive root meaning "to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)." In this context, it signifies a direct, forceful, and often punitive act by God, implying a divine smiting, a plague, or a severe affliction. Its use here leaves no ambiguity: the child's illness was not a natural sickness but a direct, divinely orchestrated judgment, a deliberate act of divine intervention to bring about the prophesied consequence. This term is often employed to describe God's judgment against His enemies or against those who violate His covenant, as seen when God "struck" the Egyptians with plagues ([Exodus 12:23](/exodus/12-23 "Exodus 12:23 - The Passover Plague")) or when He "struck" Uzzah for touching the ark ([2 Samuel 6:7](/2_samuel/6-7 "2 Samuel 6:7 - Uzzah Struck Down")).
* **child (Hebrew, _yeled'_):** From H3206, meaning "something born, i.e. a lad or offspring." The term simply means "child" or "boy." Its significance here lies in its innocence. The text explicitly states "the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David," highlighting the illicit origin and the tragic irony that an innocent life is the immediate recipient of the temporal judgment for David's sin. The use of "child" evokes pathos and underscores the severity of the consequences for David's actions, which extended beyond himself, impacting the most vulnerable member of his household.
* **sick (Hebrew, _ʼânash'_):** From H605, a primitive root meaning "to be frail, feeble, or (figuratively) melancholy; desperate(-ly wicked), incurable, woeful." This word describes the physical manifestation of the divine striking. The KJV translates it as "very sick," indicating a severe and critical condition. While the Hebrew term itself means "sick" or "frail," the broader context and the subsequent narrative (where the child dies) strongly imply a terminal illness, a sickness unto death, which is the direct result of God's punitive action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Nathan departed unto his house."**: This clause marks a crucial transition in the narrative. Nathan, having delivered the divine message of both forgiveness and judgment, completes his prophetic mission to David. His departure signifies the conclusion of the direct confrontation and the immediate commencement of the fulfillment of the prophecy. It underscores the finality and inevitability of the impending consequences, as God's word, once spoken, will surely come to pass.
* **"And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David,"**: This is the core of the verse, explicitly stating the divine agent ("the LORD," H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) and the action ("struck," H5062, _nâgaph_). The direct agency of God emphasizes His sovereignty and active involvement in upholding justice within His covenant. The phrase "the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David" serves as a stark and painful reminder of the specific sin (adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, H802, _ʼishshâh_) for which this judgment is exacted, linking the consequence directly to the transgression and highlighting the public nature of David's sin.
* **"and it was very sick."**: This clause describes the immediate, tangible manifestation of the divine striking. The child's severe illness is the direct evidence of God's judgment, confirming the prophecy of the child's death from [2 Samuel 12:14](/2_samuel/12-14 "2 Samuel 12:14 - Nathan's Prophecy"). The Hebrew term for "sick" (H605, _ʼânash_) combined with the context, indicates a grave, life-threatening condition, emphasizing the severity and the fatal nature of the illness as a direct consequence of divine action.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with maximum impact. **Foreshadowing** is powerfully evident in Nathan's explicit prophecy in [2 Samuel 12:14](/2_samuel/12-14 "2 Samuel 12:14 - Nathan's Prophecy"), which states the child would surely die, making the events of verse 15 a direct and immediate fulfillment. This creates a sense of grim inevitability. **Irony** is profoundly present in the suffering of the innocent child, who is the product of David's sin, yet bears the immediate and devastating consequence. This highlights the tragic ripple effect of sin, where the innocent often suffer due to the transgressions of others. **Divine Intervention** is explicit and undeniable, with the text stating "the LORD struck the child," leaving no room for naturalistic explanations and underscoring God's active, sovereign role in administering justice. Finally, the narrative evokes a strong sense of **Pathos**, as the reader is confronted with the suffering and impending death of an innocent infant, a direct result of the king's grievous moral failures, thereby intensifying the emotional impact and the gravity of David's actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine justice and the consequences of sin. It demonstrates that while God is merciful and offers forgiveness for the eternal penalty of sin upon genuine repentance, He is also absolutely holy and just, and sin carries real, often painful, temporal consequences. David's life was spared, but the immediate and devastating loss of his child served as a public and personal testament to the gravity of his actions, particularly because his sin had caused "the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme" ([2 Samuel 12:14](/2_samuel/12-14 "2 Samuel 12:14 - Occasion for Blasphemy")). This passage challenges the simplistic notion that forgiveness negates all earthly repercussions, teaching us that God's justice operates on multiple levels, ensuring that His moral order is upheld and His name is vindicated. It underscores that God's holiness demands a response to sin, even when mercy is extended.

* [Exodus 34:7](/exodus/34-7 "Exodus 34:7 - God's Mercy and Justice")
* [Numbers 32:23](/numbers/32-23 "Numbers 32:23 - Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic events of 2 Samuel 12:15 serve as a sobering and enduring reminder of the profound and far-reaching consequences of sin. While David received God's forgiveness for the eternal penalty of his transgression, the temporal repercussions were severe and painful, extending even to an innocent life. This passage compels us to consider the gravity of our own choices, recognizing that our actions, especially those that violate God's commands, do not exist in a vacuum. They can create ripple effects that impact not only ourselves but also our families, communities, and even the reputation of God's name in the world. It calls us to a deeper understanding of God's character, which encompasses both boundless mercy and unwavering justice. We are challenged to cultivate a profound reverence for God's holiness, to take sin seriously, and to live with integrity, knowing that true repentance involves not only confessing our sins but also accepting the consequences, trusting in God's ultimate wisdom and sovereignty even in the midst of pain. This narrative invites us to examine our own lives for areas where we might be minimizing sin or failing to consider its potential impact on others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of God's justice and mercy, particularly in their coexistence?**
* **In what ways might my own actions, even those I consider private, have ripple effects on others or on the perception of God's name in the world?**
* **What does it mean to truly repent, not just for the forgiveness of sin, but for humbly accepting its often painful temporal consequences?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater reverence for God's holiness and the seriousness of sin in my daily life and decision-making?**

### FAQ

**Why did an innocent child have to suffer and die for David's sin?**

Answer: This is one of the most challenging aspects of this passage, raising profound theological questions about divine justice and the suffering of the innocent. From an Old Testament perspective, several factors are at play. First, it underscores the extreme gravity of David's sin—adultery and murder—which was a public affront to God's law and brought "great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme" ([2 Samuel 12:14](/2_samuel/12-14 "2 Samuel 12:14 - Occasion for Blasphemy")). God's judgment was a public vindication of His holiness and a demonstration that even His anointed king was not above the law. Second, the concept of corporate solidarity was prevalent in ancient Israel, where the actions of a leader or family head could bring consequences upon the entire household or community. While the child was personally innocent of David's sin, it was part of David's house, and the judgment was directed at David's house as a consequence of his actions, illustrating that sin has devastating ripple effects beyond the individual transgressor. Finally, while the child died, the biblical narrative implies that the child was received by God, as David later states with hope, "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" ([2 Samuel 12:23](/2_samuel/12-23 "2 Samuel 12:23 - David's Hope for the Child")), suggesting a merciful reception in the afterlife for those who die in infancy, a common theological understanding.

**Does God still punish sin in this direct, physical way today?**

Answer: While God remains sovereign and just, the nature of divine judgment and its manifestation have shifted significantly under the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ. In the Old Testament, God often intervened directly and visibly with physical consequences for sin, particularly within the nation of Israel as a covenant people, to demonstrate His holiness and enforce His law. However, with the coming of Christ, the focus of God's judgment for sin was decisively placed upon Jesus, who bore the full wrath of God for the sins of humanity on the cross ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - Christ Died for Us")). For those who are in Christ, the ultimate penalty of sin (eternal separation from God) has been paid. While believers may still experience natural consequences of their choices, or even divine discipline (as a loving Father corrects His children, [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - God Disciplines Those He Loves")), the direct, physical "striking" as a punitive judgment for individual sin in the same manner as 2 Samuel 12:15 is not the typical pattern for believers under the New Covenant. The primary consequence of unconfessed sin for believers is a broken fellowship with God and a loss of spiritual vitality, not necessarily physical death as a direct divine punishment. For unbelievers, the ultimate judgment for sin is reserved for eternity ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - Condemnation for Unbelief")).

**What does this passage teach us about God's character?**

Answer: This passage reveals God as a God of absolute **holiness** and **justice**. He cannot overlook sin, especially when it is so grievous and public, bringing reproach to His name. His actions here demonstrate His unwavering commitment to His moral law and His determination to uphold righteousness, ensuring that His name is vindicated. However, it also reveals His profound **mercy** and **forgiveness**. Despite David's heinous sins of adultery and murder, God spares David's life and does not remove the kingdom from him immediately, as He did with Saul. This highlights that God's justice is tempered with mercy, and He offers genuine forgiveness to those who truly repent, even when the temporal consequences are severe. The passage shows God as sovereign over life and death, actively involved in the affairs of humanity, and ultimately working His purposes, even through painful consequences, to bring about righteousness and honor His name. It portrays a God who is both righteous Judge and compassionate Redeemer.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of 2 Samuel 12:15, where an innocent child suffers the consequences of another's sin, finds its ultimate and redemptive fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the child in this passage died as a direct judgment for David's sin, Jesus, the perfect and innocent [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly bore the full weight of humanity's sin, suffering and dying not for His own transgressions, but for ours. Just as the child was "struck" by the Lord, so too was Christ "smitten by God, and afflicted" ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - Christ, the Suffering Servant")) for our iniquities. He became the ultimate innocent victim, not to punish a specific individual's sin, but to provide atonement for the sins of the entire world. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus absorbed the divine judgment that we deserved, so that those who believe in Him might be spared the eternal consequences of their sin ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). He is the one who "knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Thus, while 2 Samuel 12:15 painfully illustrates the devastating effects of sin and God's just response, the cross of Christ reveals God's ultimate solution: a substitutionary sacrifice where the truly innocent suffers so that the guilty might find forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). This profound truth transforms the Old Testament narrative from a story of judgment into a foreshadowing of God's ultimate redemptive plan through His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.