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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 12:17 The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/12-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/10_2Sa_12_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 12:17 - David's Loss and Repentance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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But he would not, nor did he eat food with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of his household stood beside him in order to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The elders of his household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the elders of his household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the elders of his household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The elders of his household stood by him [in the night] to lift him up from the ground, but he was unwilling [to get up] and would not eat food with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of his house stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of his house stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />His officials stood beside him and tried to talk him into getting up. But he would not get up or eat with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The older leaders in his palace stood beside him to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling. And he wouldn't eat with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />His court officials went to him and tried to make him get up, but he refused and would not eat anything with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />His closest advisors at the palace got up, remained with him, and tried to help him get up from the ground, but he would not do so. He also wouldn't eat with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The elders of his house stood over him and tried to lift him from the ground, but he was unwilling, and refused to eat food with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And the elders of his house approached him to lift him up from the ground, but he was unwilling, and he would not eat food with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The elders of his house arose beside him, to raise him up from the earth; but he would not, and he didn’t eat bread with them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And [the] elderly of his house rise against him, to raise him up from the earth, and he has not been willing, nor has he eaten bread with them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the elders of his house rise against him, to raise him up from the earth, and he hath not been willing, nor hath he eaten with them bread;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the old men of his house will rise to him to lift him up from the earth; and he would not, and he ate not bread with them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the ancients of his house came, to make him rise from the ground: but he would not, neither did he eat meat with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then the elders of his house came, urging him to rise up from the ground. And he was not willing, nor would he eat a meal with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The elders of his house stood beside him to get him to rise from the ground; but he would not, nor would he take food with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The elders of his house stood beside him, urging him to rise from the ground; but he would not, nor did he eat food with them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the eiders of his household arose and tried to raise him up from the ground, but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Elders of his household arose to raise him up from the ground, and he was not willing, and he did not eat bread with them<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth; but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the elders of his house arose <i>and went</i> to him to raise him up from the ground, but he would not <i>rise</i>, nor did he eat bread with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/12-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=3025" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/12.htm">David's Loss and Repentance</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: ziq·nê (Adj-mpc) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">The elders</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇê·ṯōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of his household</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: way·yā·qu·mū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">stood</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">beside him</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: la·hă·qî·mōw (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf:: 3ms) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">to help him up</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the ground,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but he was unwilling</a> <a href="/hebrew/14.htm" title="14: ’ā·ḇāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be willing, to consent. A primitive root; to breathe after, i.e. to be acquiescent."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and would not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1254.htm" title="1254: ḇā·rā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To create, to cut down, select, feed. A primitive root; to create; to cut down, select, feed.">eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tām (Prep:: 3mp) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">anything with them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: lā·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain."></a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>On the seventh day the child died. But David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Look, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to us. So how can we tell him the child is dead? He may even harm himself.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-13.htm">Psalm 35:13</a></span><br />Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5-9</a></span><br />And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. / Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Matthew 6:16-18</a></span><br />When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/4-16.htm">Esther 4:16</a></span><br />“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3</a></span><br />So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Nehemiah 1:4</a></span><br />When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-9.htm">Acts 9:9</a></span><br />For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">1 Kings 21:27</a></span><br />When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/8-21.htm">Ezra 8:21-23</a></span><br />And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. / For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect us from our enemies on the road, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.” / So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-14.htm">Matthew 9:14-15</a></span><br />Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3-5</a></span><br />“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. / Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/2-18.htm">Mark 2:18-20</a></span><br />Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/5-33.htm">Luke 5:33-35</a></span><br />Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.” / Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-6.htm">1 Samuel 7:6</a></span><br />When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">the elders</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/3-35.htm">2 Samuel 3:35</a></b></br> And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/28-23.htm">1 Samuel 28:23</a></b></br> But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/12-3.htm">Ate</a> <a href="/2_samuel/9-10.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-18.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-16.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-3.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-12.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-3.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-16.htm">Food</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-16.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-16.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-11.htm">Household</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-3.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-11.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-23.htm">Refused</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-20.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-16.htm">Side</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-28.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-10.htm">Unwilling</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-10.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/12-20.htm">Ate</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-20.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-26.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-20.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-20.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-42.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-4.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-20.htm">Food</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-20.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-20.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-16.htm">Household</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-28.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-18.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-9.htm">Refused</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-21.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-31.htm">Side</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-31.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-23.htm">Unwilling</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-14.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/12-7.htm">David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/12-15.htm">David mourns and prays for the child while it lives</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/12-24.htm">Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/12-26.htm">David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereof</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The elders of his household stood beside him</b><br>In ancient Israel, elders were respected leaders and advisors within a household or community. They often held positions of authority and were responsible for providing guidance and support. In this context, the elders of David's household were likely senior servants or officials who had the responsibility to care for the king during his time of distress. Their presence indicates the seriousness of the situation and the communal concern for David's well-being.<p><b>to help him up from the ground</b><br>David was in a state of deep mourning and repentance, lying prostrate on the ground. This posture was a common expression of intense grief and supplication in the ancient Near East. It reflects David's profound sorrow over his sin with Bathsheba and the resulting illness of their child. The elders' attempt to help him up signifies their desire to comfort and restore him, both physically and emotionally, to a state of normalcy.<p><b>but he was unwilling</b><br>David's unwillingness to rise demonstrates the depth of his penitence and his focus on seeking God's mercy. It highlights his recognition of the gravity of his sin and his dependence on divine intervention. This act of refusal can be seen as an expression of humility and submission to God's will, reminiscent of other biblical figures who fasted and prayed in times of crisis, such as Esther and Daniel.<p><b>and would not eat anything with them</b><br>Fasting was a common practice in the Bible, often associated with mourning, repentance, and seeking God's favor. By refusing to eat, David was engaging in a spiritual discipline intended to demonstrate his earnestness in prayer and his desire for God's forgiveness and healing for his child. This act of fasting connects to other scriptural instances where individuals or communities sought divine intervention through abstaining from food, such as in the book of Jonah with the people of Nineveh.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The King of Israel, who is in deep mourning and repentance after the prophet Nathan confronts him about his sin with Bathsheba.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/elders_of_david's_household.htm">Elders of David's Household</a></b><br>These are the senior officials or advisors in David's court, who attempt to comfort and assist him during his time of distress.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ground.htm">The Ground</a></b><br>Symbolic of David's humility and repentance, as he lays prostrate in prayer and fasting.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/fasting.htm">Fasting</a></b><br>David's refusal to eat is an expression of his deep sorrow and plea for God's mercy.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/n/nathan's_confrontation.htm">Nathan's Confrontation</a></b><br>The event preceding this verse, where the prophet Nathan reveals God's judgment on David for his sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_weight_of_sin_and_repentance.htm">The Weight of Sin and Repentance</a></b><br>David's actions demonstrate the seriousness of sin and the depth of true repentance. Believers are called to acknowledge their sins and seek God's forgiveness earnestly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community_in_times_of_distress.htm">The Role of Community in Times of Distress</a></b><br>The elders' presence shows the importance of having a supportive community during difficult times. Christians should surround themselves with godly counsel and support.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fasting_as_a_spiritual_discipline.htm">Fasting as a Spiritual Discipline</a></b><br>David's fasting is a model for using fasting as a means to draw closer to God, especially in times of crisis or repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>David's posture on the ground is a physical manifestation of his humility. Believers are encouraged to humble themselves before God, recognizing their dependence on His grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy_and_forgiveness.htm">God's Mercy and Forgiveness</a></b><br>Despite David's sin, his account is a testament to God's willingness to forgive those who truly repent. This offers hope and assurance to all believers.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_is_malta_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Ahithophel in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_link_god's_favor_to_david's_power.htm">1 Chronicles 14:2 - Why would God's favor be linked to David's increasing power and multiple wives, despite biblical warnings against polygamy elsewhere?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_evidence_of_ark's_power.htm">2 Samuel 6:12-15 - Why does the Ark's presence generate such transformative effects, yet no archaeological evidence of its power or existence is found?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_child's_death_with_god's_love.htm">In 2 Samuel 12:15-23, how can the moral or spiritual purpose of the child's death be reconciled with the idea of a loving and merciful God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/12-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The elders</span><br /><span class="heb">זִקְנֵ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(ziq·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his household</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵיתוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḇê·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">stood</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּקֻ֜מוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·qu·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">beside him</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to help him up</span><br /><span class="heb">לַהֲקִימ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(la·hă·qî·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ground,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֑רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but he was unwilling</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and would not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eat</span><br /><span class="heb">בָרָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1254.htm">Strong's 1254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To create, to cut down, select, feed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anything with them.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִתָּ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’it·tām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/12-17.htm">2 Samuel 12:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/12-17.htm">2 Samuel 12:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/12-17.htm">2 Samuel 12:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/12-17.htm">2 Samuel 12:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/12-17.htm">2 Samuel 12:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/12-17.htm">2 Samuel 12:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/12-17.htm">2 Samuel 12:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/12-17.htm">2 Samuel 12:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/12-17.htm">2 Samuel 12:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/12-17.htm">2 Samuel 12:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/12-17.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 12:17 The elders of his house arose (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/12-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 12:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 12:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/12-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 12:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 12:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>