2 Samuel 12:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But now he is dead {H4191}, wherefore should I fast {H6684}? can {H3201} I bring him back again {H7725}? I shall go {H1980} to him, but he shall not return {H7725} to me.

Complete Jewish Bible

But now that he's dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."

Berean Standard Bible

But now that 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.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 12:23 presents King David's profound and poignant response to the death of his infant son, born of his union with Bathsheba. Following a period of intense fasting and intercession, David articulates his acceptance of God's sovereign will and expresses a deeply personal hope for reunion with his child in the afterlife, marking a significant transition from desperate pleading to worshipful resolution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a week of intense and public mourning by King David. After the prophet Nathan confronted David with his grievous sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, God declared that the child born of their illicit union would die ([2 Samuel 12:14](/2_samuel/12-14 "2 Samuel 12:14 - Nathan's Prophecy of the Child's Death")). In response to this divine judgment, David prostrated himself, fasted, and pleaded with God for the child's life ([2 Samuel 12:16-17](/2_samuel/12-16 "2 Samuel 12:16-17 - David's Intense Intercession")). His servants were deeply concerned by his extreme grief and feared his reaction upon hearing the inevitable news of the child's passing. However, David's response was unexpected: upon learning of the child's death, he immediately ceased his mourning rituals, washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went to the house of the Lord to worship ([2 Samuel 12:20](/2_samuel/12-20 "2 Samuel 12:20 - David's Surprising Shift to Worship")). Verse 23 is David's explanation to his bewildered servants, providing the theological and emotional rationale behind his sudden shift from desperate supplication to serene acceptance and worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, fasting and lying on the ground were customary expressions of deep distress, humility, and fervent prayer, particularly when seeking divine intervention for a dire situation. David's actions were typical of intense mourning and supplication. Conversely, washing, anointing oneself with oil, and changing clothes were acts of purification and a return to normal life, often associated with ending a period of mourning or entering a sacred space for worship. The concept of the afterlife in the Old Testament, often referred to as Sheol, was complex and evolving. While Sheol was generally understood as the common destination for all the dead, a shadowy realm from which there was no return to the land of the living, there were developing ideas of individual destiny and potential reunion, especially for the righteous. David's statement, "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me," reflects a personal hope that transcends a mere shared burial place, hinting at a conscious existence beyond the grave where reunion is possible, a belief that would deepen in later Jewish thought.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes within 2 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **Sovereignty of God**, demonstrating David's ultimate acceptance that God's decrees, even those involving judgment and loss, are final and irreversible by human effort. David's rhetorical questions ("wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again?") highlight the futility of resisting divine will once it has been executed. Furthermore, the verse offers a profound glimpse into **Hope in the Afterlife and Reunion**, as David's conviction that he will "go to him" suggests a belief in a continued existence beyond death where a personal reunion with his child is anticipated. This provides a foundational Old Testament expression of hope for the destiny of the righteous after death. The narrative also illustrates a mature **Transition from Grief to Resolution**, showing David's capacity to grieve intensely while hope remained, but then to move swiftly to acceptance and worship once God's will was manifest, modeling a spiritually healthy response to irreversible loss. Finally, the entire episode, culminating in this verse, serves as a stark reminder of the **Consequences of Sin**, emphasizing that while God graciously forgave David's adultery and murder, the earthly repercussions, as foretold by Nathan, were still realized ([2 Samuel 12:10-14](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10-14 - Nathan's Prophecy of Consequences")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fast (Hebrew, צוּם, _tsum'_):** To abstain from food, often accompanied by other forms of self-denial (like lying on the ground). In biblical contexts, fasting is typically undertaken for spiritual purposes: as an expression of repentance, intense mourning, or fervent supplication for divine intervention. David's fasting was a desperate plea to God to spare his son's life, a form of spiritual wrestling. Once the child died, the purpose of the fast ceased, making its continuation illogical from David's perspective.
* **Go (Hebrew, הָלַךְ, _halakh'_):** The literal meaning is "to walk" or "to go." However, in this context, particularly when used in the idiom "I shall go to him," it functions as a euphemism for death or joining the deceased. It implies a journey to the realm of the dead (Sheol), but for David, it carries the profound connotation of a personal, conscious reunion with his child, rather than merely sharing a common burial ground.
* **Return (Hebrew, שׁוּב, _shuv'_):** To turn back, come back, or restore. This word emphasizes the finality of death from the perspective of the living. Once a person dies, they do not return to the earthly realm to interact with the living. David's statement highlights the one-way nature of this journey: he will go to his son, but his son cannot return to him in this life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast?":** David begins with a statement of fact – the child's death – which fundamentally alters the premise of his previous actions. His intense fasting was a supplication for the child's life. With the child's death, that specific purpose is rendered moot. The rhetorical question expresses a logical, albeit deeply sorrowful, conclusion: continuing the fast would be futile, as the desired outcome (the child's survival) is no longer possible.
* **"can I bring him back again?":** This rhetorical question further underscores the finality of death and the limitations of human power. It acknowledges God's ultimate sovereignty over life and death. David understands that no amount of human effort, prayer, or mourning can reverse a divine decree or bring the dead back to life in this earthly existence. It is an acceptance of the irreversible nature of the loss.
* **"I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.":** This is the heart of David's profound statement. The first clause, "I shall go to him," expresses David's personal conviction and hope regarding his own future death and a reunion with his child in the afterlife. It implies a belief in a continued existence beyond the grave and a personal, conscious encounter. The second clause, "but he shall not return to me," reiterates the finality of the child's earthly departure. The child cannot come back to David in this life, emphasizing the one-way journey to the realm of the dead, yet holding the promise that David will eventually join him there.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. **Rhetorical Questions** ("wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again?") are used effectively by David to convey the logical futility of continued mourning once the object of his prayer (the child's life) is irrevocably lost. These questions are not seeking answers but rather emphasizing the obvious and irreversible nature of death. A striking **Contrast** is present between David's intense, desperate fasting and pleading before the child's death, and his sudden, calm acceptance and worship afterward. This highlights his understanding of God's sovereignty and the appropriate response to irreversible loss. The phrase "I shall go to him" functions as a **Euphemism** for death and a hopeful reunion in the afterlife, avoiding a direct, stark statement of death while conveying a deeper spiritual truth. The entire verse is imbued with **Poignancy**, capturing the raw emotion of a grieving father who, despite his immense sorrow, finds solace and resolution in his faith and hope for a future beyond the grave.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 12:23 offers a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty, the nature of death, and the hope of reunion. David's acceptance of the child's death as God's will, coupled with his immediate shift to worship, demonstrates a mature faith that acknowledges God's ultimate control over life and death. His declaration, "I shall go to him," is a remarkable Old Testament expression of personal hope for a conscious existence beyond the grave and a reunion with loved ones. While the Old Testament understanding of the afterlife (Sheol) was not as fully developed as the New Testament's revelation of heaven and resurrection, David's words suggest a profound comfort rooted in the belief that death is not the final separation for the righteous. This hope foreshadows the clearer promises of resurrection and eternal life found in later scripture.

* [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Acceptance of God's Sovereignty")
* [Isaiah 57:1-2](/isaiah/57-1 "Isaiah 57:1-2 - The Righteous Taken Away")
* [1 Thessalonians 4:13-14](/1_thessalonians/4-13 "1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 - Hope for Believers Who Have Died")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Samuel 12:23 provides immense comfort and profound lessons in navigating grief and loss. David's example teaches us the importance of fervent prayer and intercession while there is hope, but also the spiritual maturity to accept God's sovereign will when it is clearly manifested, even if it differs from our desires. His ability to transition from deep mourning to worship demonstrates a resilient faith that trusts in God's ultimate wisdom and goodness, even amidst profound sorrow. This verse offers a foundational biblical basis for the hope of reunion with loved ones who have passed away, particularly for parents who have lost children. It suggests that those who die in infancy or childhood are secure in God's care, providing immense solace and challenging the notion of an "age of accountability" in a way that aligns with God's loving character and the all-encompassing grace of Christ. It encourages us to find our ultimate peace not in the reversal of loss, but in the unwavering faithfulness of God and the promise of eternal life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's response to irreversible loss challenge or affirm your own understanding of grief and acceptance?**
* **What does David's statement "I shall go to him" reveal about his hope for the afterlife, and how does this hope comfort you in times of loss?**
* **In what ways can we emulate David's spiritual maturity in accepting God's will, even when it is painful or contrary to our prayers?**

### FAQ
**Does 2 Samuel 12:23 imply that all infants who die go to heaven?**

Answer: While the Bible does not explicitly state that all infants go to heaven, David's statement in [2 Samuel 12:23](/2_samuel/12-23 "2 Samuel 12:23 - David's Hope for Reunion") is widely interpreted by theologians as a strong indication of this comforting truth. David, a man after God's own heart, expresses a clear expectation of reunion with his child. This suggests that the child, being innocent of conscious sin and incapable of exercising saving faith, is safe in God's presence. This understanding aligns with the character of God as merciful and just, and the concept of grace, particularly as revealed in the New Testament. The atoning work of Christ is sufficient to cover all humanity, including those who die before reaching an age of moral accountability or the capacity for faith. Therefore, this verse provides immense comfort and a strong biblical basis for the belief that infants and young children who die are received into God's eternal embrace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's poignant declaration, "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's hope for reunion, though profound, was rooted in the developing Old Testament understanding of Sheol. However, Christ's death and resurrection fundamentally transform and secure this hope. Jesus' victory over death and the grave ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")) means that the "going to him" that David anticipated is no longer a descent into a shadowy realm, but an ascent into the glorious presence of God. Jesus declared Himself to be "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), promising that those who believe in Him, even if they die, will live. The hope of reunion with loved ones, including children, is guaranteed by Christ's triumph and the promise of a future resurrection where all believers will be reunited with their glorified bodies and with one another in the presence of the Lord forever ([1 Thessalonians 4:16-17](/1_thessalonians/4-16 "1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - The Lord's Return and Reunion")). David's personal longing for his child is now fulfilled in the universal and eternal hope offered through the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world and opens the way to eternal life ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Genesis 37:35

And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

Job 30:23

For I know [that] thou wilt bring me [to] death, and [to] the house appointed for all living.

Luke 23:43

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Job 7:8

The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no [more]: thine eyes [are] upon me, and I [am] not.

Job 7:10

He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.