TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Samuel 12 verses 15–25
Nathan, having delivered his message, staid not at court, but went home, probably to pray for David, to whom he had been preaching. God, in making use of him as an instrument to bring David to repentance, and as the herald both of mercy and judgment, put an honour upon the ministry, and magnified his word above all his name. David named one of his sons by Bath-sheba Nathan, in honour of this prophet (Ch1 3:5), and it was that son of whom Christ, the great prophet, lineally descended, Luk 3:31. When Nathan retired, David, it is probable, retired likewise, and penned the 51st Psalm, in which (though he had been assured that his sin was pardoned) he prays earnestly for pardon, and greatly laments his sin; for then will true penitents be ashamed of what they have done when God is pacified towards them, Eze 16:63.
Here is, I. The child's illness: The Lord struck it, and it was very sick, perhaps with convulsions, or some other dreadful distemper, Sa2 12:15. The diseases and death of infants that have not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, especially as they are sometimes sadly circumstanced, are sensible proofs of the original sin in which they are conceived.
II. David's humiliation under this token of God's displeasure, and the intercession he made with God for the life of the child (Sa2 12:16, Sa2 12:17): He fasted, and lay all night upon the earth, and would not suffer any of his attendants either to feed him or help him up. This was an evidence of the truth of his repentance. For, 1. Hereby it appeared that he was willing to bear the shame of his sin, to have it ever before him, and to be continually upbraided with it; for this child would be a continual memorandum of it, both to himself and others, if he lived: and therefore he was so far from desiring its death, as most in such circumstances do, that he prayed earnestly for its life. True penitents patiently bear the reproach of their youth, and of their youthful lusts, Jer 31:19. 2. A very tender compassionate spirit appeared in this, and great humanity, above what is commonly found in men, especially men of war, towards little children, even their own; and this was another sign of a broken contrite spirit. Those that are penitent will be pitiful. 3. He discovered, in this, a great concern for another world, which is an evidence of repentance. Nathan had told him that certainly the child should die; yet, while it is in the reach of prayer, he earnestly intercedes with God for it, chiefly (as we may suppose) that its soul might be safe and happy in another world, and that his sin might not come against the child, and that it might not fare the worse for that in the future state. 4. He discovered, in this, a holy dread of God and of his displeasure. He deprecated the death of the child chiefly as it was a token of God's anger against him and his house, and was inflicted in performance of a threatening; therefore he prayed thus earnestly that, if it were the will of God, the child might live, because that would be to him a token of God's being reconciled to him. Lord, chasten me not in thy hot displeasure. Psa 6:1.
III. The death of the child: It died on the seventh day (Sa2 12:18), when it was seven days old, and therefore not circumcised, which David might perhaps interpret as a further token of God's displeasure, that it died before it was brought under the seal of the covenant; yet he does not therefore doubt of its being happy for the benefits of the covenant do not depend upon the seals. David's servants, judging of him by themselves, were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, concluding that then he would disquiet himself most of all; so that he knew not till he asked, Sa2 12:19.
IV. David's wonderful calmness and composure of mind when he understood the child was dead. Observe,
1.What he did. (1.) He laid aside the expressions of his sorrow, washed and anointed himself, and called for clean linen, that he might decently appear before God in his house. (2.) He went up to the tabernacle and worshipped, like Job when he heard of the death of his children. He went to acknowledge the hand of God in the affliction, and to humble himself under it, and to submit to his holy will in it, to thank God that he himself was spared and his sin pardoned, and to pray that God would not proceed in his controversy with him, nor stir up all his wrath. Is any afflicted? Let him pray. Weeping must never hinder worshipping. (3.) Then he went to his own house and refreshed himself, as one who found benefit by his religion in the day of his affliction; for, having worshipped, he did eat, and his countenance was no more sad.
2.The reason he gave for what he did. His servants thought it strange that he should afflict himself so for the sickness of the child and yet take the death of it so easily, and asked him the reason of it (Sa2 12:21), in answer to which he gives this plain account of his conduct, (1.) That while the child was alive he thought it his duty to importune the divine favour towards it, Sa2 12:22. Nathan had indeed said the child should die, but, for aught that he knew, the threatening might be conditional, as that concerning Hezekiah: upon his great humiliation and earnest prayer, he that had so often heard the voice of his weeping might be pleased to reverse the sentence, and spare the child: Who can tell whether God will yet be gracious to me? God gives us leave to be earnest with him in prayer for particular blessings, from a confidence in his power and general mercy, though we have no particular promise to build upon: we cannot be sure, yet let us pray, for who can tell but God will be gracious to us, in this or that particular? When our relations and friends have fallen sick, the prayer of faith has prevailed much; while there is life there is hope, and, while there is hope, there is room for prayer. (2.) That now the child was dead he thought it as much his duty to be satisfied in the divine disposal concerning it (Sa2 12:23): Now, wherefore should I fast? Two things checked his grief: - [1.] I cannot bring him back again; and again, He shall not return to me. Those that are dead are out of the reach of prayer; nor can our tears profit them. We can neither weep nor pray them back to this life. Wherefore then should we fast? To what purpose is this waste? Yet David fasted and wept for Jonathan when he was dead, in honour to him. [2.] I shall go to him. First, To him to the grave. Note, The consideration of our own death should moderate our sorrow at the death of our relations. It is the common lot; instead of mourning for their death, we should think of our own: and, whatever loss we have of them now, we shall die shortly, and go to them. Secondly, To him to heaven, to a state of blessedness, which even the Old Testament saints had some expectation of. Godly parents have great reason to hope concerning their children that die in infancy that it is well with their souls in the other world; for the promise is to us and to our seed, which shall be performed to those that do not put a bar in their own door, as infants do not. Favores sunt ampliandi - Favours received should produce the hope of more. God calls those his children that are born unto him; and, if they be his, he will save them. This may comfort us when our children are removed from us by death, they are better provided for, both in work and wealth, than they could have been in this world. We shall be with them shortly, to part no more.
V. The birth of Solomon. Though David's marrying Bath-sheba had displeased the Lord, yet he was not therefore commanded to divorce her; so far from this that God gave him that son by her on whom the covenant of royalty should be entailed. Bath-sheba, no doubt, was greatly afflicted with the sense of her sin and the tokens of God's displeasure. But, God having restored to David the joys of his salvation, he comforted her with the same comforts with which he himself was comforted of God (Sa2 12:24): He comforted Bath-sheba. And both he and she had reason to be comforted in the tokens of God's reconciliation to them, 1. Inasmuch as, by his providence, he gave them a son, not as the former, who was given in anger and taken away in wrath, but a child graciously given, and written among the living in Jerusalem. They called him Solomon - peaceful, because his birth was a token of God's being at peace with them, because of the prosperity which was entailed upon him, and because he was to be a type of Christ, the prince of peace. God had removed one son from them, but now gave them another instead of him, like Seth instead of Abel, Gen 4:25. Thus God often balances the griefs of his people with comforts in the same thing wherein he hath afflicted them, setting the one over-against the other. David had very patiently submitted to the will of God in the death of the other child, and now God made up the loss of that, abundantly to his advantage, in the birth of this. The way to have our creature-comforts either continued or restored, or the loss of them made up some other way, is cheerfully to resign them to God. 2. Inasmuch as, by his grace, he particularly owned and favoured that son: The Lord loved him (Sa2 12:24 and Sa2 12:25), ordered him, by the prophet Nathan, to be called Jedidiah - Beloved of the Lord: though a seed of evil-doers (for such David and Bath-sheba were), yet so well ordered was the covenant, and the crown entailed by it, that it took away all attainders and corruption of blood, signifying that those who were by nature children of wrath and disobedience should, by the covenant of grace, not only be reconciled, but made favourites. And, in this name, he typified Jesus Christ, that blessed Jedidiah, the son of God's love, concerning whom God declared again and again, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Holy David lost two sons. One was guilty of incest, the other of fratricide. To have had them caused him shame; to have lost them brought him grief. He also lost a third, a child whom he loved. He wept over him while he was still alive, but he did not long for him after he died. For so we read that when the boy fell sick, David besought the Lord for him and fasted and lay upon sackcloth, and, although the elders approached him and tried to make him get up from the ground, he resolved neither to rise nor to eat. After he learned that the boy was dead, however, he arose from the ground, bathed upon the spot, anointed himself, changed clothing, worshiped the Lord and took food. Since this seemed strange to his servants, he answered that while the child was still alive, he had rightly fasted and wept, because he justly thought that God might pity him and was certain that he who could restore the dead to life could surely preserve the life of one still living. But now that the child was dead, why should he fast, since he could not bring him back from death and restore him to life. “I shall go to him rather;” he said, “but he shall not return to me.”What greater consolation to a mourner! What a true judgment from a wise man! What wonderful wisdom exhibited by a servant! [Thus] no one should protest that some misfortune has befallen him and complain that he has been afflicted contrary to his merit. For who are you to proclaim your merit beforehand? Why do you desire to anticipate your judge? Why do you snatch the verdict from the mouth of him who is going to pronounce it?
Thus David wept for his son who was about to die; he did not grieve for him when dead. He wept that he might not be snatched from him, but he ceased to weep when he was snatched away, for he knew that he was with Christ. And that you may know what I declare is true, he wept for his incestuous son Amnon when he was killed, and he mourned for the parricide Absalom when he perished, saying, “My son Absalom, my son Absalom!” He did not think the innocent son should be mourned, because he believed that the others had perished for their crime but that the latter would live on account of his innocence.Therefore, you have no reason for grieving excessively over your brother. He was born a man, he was subject to human frailty.
King David loved his child and sat indeed in sackcloth and ashes, but he neither brought soothsayers nor enchanters (although there were such then, as Saul shows), but he made supplication to God. So you should do likewise: as that just man did, so you should do also; the same words you should say, when your child is dead, “I shall go to him, but he will not come to me.” This is true wisdom, this is affection. However much you may love your child, you will not love so much as he had then. For even though his child was born of adultery, yet that blessed man’s love of the mother was at its height, and you know that the offspring shares the love of the parents. And so great was his love toward it, that he even wished it to live, though it would be his own accuser, but still he gave thanks to God.
Continue studying 2 Samuel 12:20 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
David's immediate and unexpected shift from intense mourning to ritual purification, worship, and eating after the death of his infant son demonstrates profound acceptance of God's sovereign will, a deep-seated faith that transcends circumstances, and a humble submission to divine judgment, even amidst personal tragedy. This pivotal moment reveals David's spiritual maturity and his understanding that while intercession is vital, ultimate surrender to God's decreed outcome is the path of true worship.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse marks a dramatic turning point in the narrative of David's life, immediately following the death of the child conceived in adultery with Bathsheba. The preceding verses detail David's desperate, week-long period of fasting, weeping, and lying prostrate on the ground, interceding for the child's life, as recounted in 2 Samuel 12:16-17. His servants, anticipating continued or even intensified mourning, are utterly bewildered by his sudden shift to ritual cleansing and worship. This abrupt transition sets up David's profound theological explanation in 2 Samuel 12:22-23, where he articulates the rationale behind his actions, demonstrating a mature understanding of prayer, divine sovereignty, and the nature of the afterlife. The verse also serves as a crucial bridge, moving from the direct consequences of David's sin to the subsequent events, including the birth of Solomon in 2 Samuel 12:24.
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, intense public mourning, including fasting, wearing sackcloth, lying on the ground, and abstaining from anointing or washing, was a customary and expected response to death, especially the death of a child. The period of mourning typically lasted seven days, and specific rituals were observed to signify grief and defilement. Conversely, washing, anointing with oil, and changing clothes were practices associated with ending a period of mourning, returning to normal social life, or preparing for sacred activities. Entering "the house of the LORD" (likely the tabernacle, as the Temple had not yet been built) for worship was a central act of piety. David's actions, while culturally understood as marking the end of mourning, were performed immediately upon the child's death, defying his servants' expectations and highlighting his unique spiritual perspective rooted in his understanding of God's sovereign decree.
Key Themes: 2 Samuel 12:20 powerfully illustrates several key themes within the broader narrative of 2 Samuel. Foremost is the theme of divine sovereignty and human submission. Despite David's fervent prayers, God's decree stood, and David's response demonstrates an acceptance of God's ultimate authority, even in judgment. This highlights the nature of prayer as supplication rather than demand. Another crucial theme is the nature of true worship, which David exemplifies as an act of profound reverence and submission to God regardless of circumstances, contrasting with a transactional view of faith. The passage also touches on grief and resilience, showing a divinely enabled capacity to move through profound sorrow with faith, rather than being consumed by it. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of hope beyond death, which David explicitly articulates in 2 Samuel 12:23, foreshadowing a deeper understanding of life after death than commonly portrayed in Old Testament narratives.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to underscore David's remarkable response. The most prominent is Contrast, highlighting the stark difference between David's intense, week-long prostration and fasting before the child's death, and his immediate, ritualized purification and worship after the death. This contrast is amplified by the Irony of the servants' expectations, who anticipate continued mourning but witness a profound shift, underscoring David's unique spiritual perspective. The sequence of actions—washing, anointing, changing clothes, worshipping, eating—functions as a powerful Symbolism of transition, purification, and acceptance. Each act is a deliberate step away from the state of mourning and towards a posture of faith and submission. The narrative also uses Foreshadowing, as David's actions here, particularly his worship and eating, anticipate his later explanation in 2 Samuel 12:23, where he articulates his hope of reunion with the child, revealing a deeper theological understanding of life and death.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's response in 2 Samuel 12:20 offers a profound theological lesson on the nature of faith, prayer, and divine sovereignty. It illustrates that while fervent prayer is essential and commanded, true faith ultimately submits to God's will when it becomes clear, even if that will involves sorrow. David's worship, immediately following the death of his son, is not a celebration of the outcome but an affirmation of God's unchanging character—His justice, His sovereignty, and His continued worthiness of praise, even in the midst of pain. This demonstrates a mature faith that transcends immediate circumstances, finding its anchor in the unshakeable nature of God Himself. It teaches that worship is not merely a response to blessings but a posture of the heart that acknowledges God's reign over all of life's experiences, both joyous and grievous.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's actions in 2 Samuel 12:20 provide a powerful model for navigating profound loss and disappointment within a framework of faith. While David's initial, desperate plea for his son's life was a natural and righteous expression of a father's love and hope in God's mercy, his subsequent pivot to acceptance and worship upon the child's death reveals a profound spiritual maturity. This teaches us that there is a time for fervent intercession, and there is a time for humble submission to God's sovereign plan. It encourages us to find our strength not in the outcome we desire, but in the unchanging character of God. In our own lives, whether facing personal tragedy, unfulfilled prayers, or deep sorrow, David's example calls us to move beyond despair to a place of worship and trust, recognizing that God remains good and worthy of our adoration, even when His ways are mysterious or painful. This transition is not about denying grief, but about anchoring it in an unshakeable faith that allows us to rise, cleanse ourselves, and continue walking with God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did David suddenly stop mourning and worship God?
Answer: David's actions, though surprising to his servants, were a profound demonstration of his faith and understanding of divine sovereignty. While his son was alive, David had reason to intercede and plead for God's mercy, believing God could change His mind, as he later explains in 2 Samuel 12:22. However, once the child died, the divine decree was clear and irreversible. For David, continued fasting and lament would have been a futile attempt to manipulate God or a denial of God's ultimate authority. Instead, he chose to accept God's will, purify himself from the defilement associated with death, and immediately enter into worship. This was an act of humble submission, acknowledging God's justice and sovereignty even in judgment. It showed that his worship was not contingent on favorable outcomes but on God's inherent worthiness.
Was David's grief genuine if he moved on so quickly?
Answer: Absolutely. David's week-long, intense period of prostration, fasting, and weeping, detailed in 2 Samuel 12:16-17, clearly demonstrates the depth of his genuine grief and anguish. His actions in 2 Samuel 12:20 were not a denial of his sorrow but a deliberate, faith-filled transition. In ancient Israel, washing, anointing, and changing clothes were customary rituals for ending a period of mourning. David was not suppressing his grief but actively choosing to move through it by submitting to God's will and resuming the responsibilities of life and worship. His later explanation in 2 Samuel 12:23 further confirms his deep love for his child and his hope of reunion, demonstrating that his acceptance was rooted in faith, not an absence of feeling.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's response in 2 Samuel 12:20, particularly his act of worship in the face of profound loss, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate submission and trust exemplified by Jesus Christ. While David submitted to the Father's will regarding the death of his son, Jesus, the perfect Son, submitted to the Father's will even unto His own death on the cross, as described in Philippians 2:8. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed with intense anguish, "not my will, but yours be done," found in Luke 22:42, mirroring David's fervent prayer for mercy, yet ultimately surrendering to the divine plan. Just as David arose from his prostration to worship and resume life, Christ, after His sacrificial death, rose from the grave, triumphing over sin and death, as affirmed in Romans 6:9-10, offering eternal life and hope to all who believe. David's hope of being reunited with his child, expressed in 2 Samuel 12:23, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who promises resurrection and eternal communion with God for all His followers, as Jesus Himself declared in John 14:1-3. Thus, David's act of faith in the face of death points forward to the greater faith of Christ, whose death and resurrection provide the ultimate answer to human suffering and the promise of a future beyond earthly sorrow.