King James Version
What Does 2 Samuel 12:16 Mean?
“David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted , and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. fasted: Heb. fasted a fast”
Context
14
Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
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.
16
David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted , and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. fasted: Heb. fasted a fast
17
And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
18
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? vex: Heb. do hurt
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(16) **Besought God for the child.**—It can hardly be necessary to say that this does not imply any want of submissiveness to God’s will on David’s part, nor an inordinate love for the child of his guilt. “In the case of a man whose penitence was so earnest and so deep, the prayer for the preservation of his child must have sprung from some other source than excessive love of any created object. His great desire was to avert the stroke as a sign of the wrath of God, in the hope that he might be able to discern, in the preservation of the child, a proof of Divine favour consequent upon the restoration of his fellowship with God. But when the child was dead, he humbled himself under the mighty hand of God, and rested satisfied with His grace, without giving himself up to fruitless pain” (O. von Gerlach, quoted by Keil). Yet David’s deep love for the child is not to be overlooked altogether.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
2 Samuel 12:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to 2 Samuel 12:16
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge