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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 12:23 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/12-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/10_2Sa_12_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 12:23 - David's Loss and Repentance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_samuel/12-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_samuel/12-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/">2 Samuel</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/12-22.htm" title="2 Samuel 12:22">◄</a> 2 Samuel 12:23 <a href="/2_samuel/12-24.htm" title="2 Samuel 12:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_samuel/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_samuel/12.htm">New International Version</a> But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.” <a href="/esv/2_samuel/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” <a href="/bsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/12.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/12.htm">New King James Version</a> But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” <a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I am going to him, but he will not return to me.” <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” <a href="/lsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” <a href="/amp/2_samuel/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But now he is dead; why should I [continue to] fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him [when I die], but he will not return to me.” <a href="/csb/2_samuel/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I’ll go to him, but he will never return to me.” <a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I&#8217ll go to him, but he will never return to me.&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_samuel/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/2_samuel/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But now that he's dead, why should I go without eating? I can't bring him back! Someday I will join him in death, but he can't return to me. <a href="/erv/2_samuel/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/2_samuel/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But why should I fast now that he's dead? Can I bring him back? [Someday] I'll go to him, but he won't come back to me." <a href="/gnt/2_samuel/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Could I bring the child back to life? I will some day go to where he is, but he can never come back to me." <a href="/isv/2_samuel/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> But now that he has died, what's the point of fasting? Can I bring him back again? I'll be going to be with him, but he won't be returning to me." <a href="/msb/2_samuel/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/2_samuel/12.htm">NET Bible</a> But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Am I able to bring him back? I will go to him, but he cannot return to me!'" <a href="/nheb/2_samuel/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me." <a href="/wbt/2_samuel/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But now he is dead, Why should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me. <a href="/web/2_samuel/12.htm">World English Bible</a> But now 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.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And now, he has died, why [is] this—I fast? Am I able to bring him back again? I am going to him, and he does not return to me.” <a href="/ylt/2_samuel/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and now, he hath died, why is this -- I fast? am I able to bring him back again? I am going unto him, and he doth not turn back unto me.' <a href="/slt/2_samuel/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And now he died, wherefore thus do I fast? shall I be able to yet turn him back? I go to him, and he will not turn back to me.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_samuel/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Shall I be able to bring him back any more? I shall go to him rather: but he shall not return to me. <a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Would I be able to bring him back anymore? Instead, I will go to him. Yet truly, he will not return to me.” <a href="/nabre/2_samuel/12.htm">New American Bible</a> But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he cannot return to me. <a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Therefore, because he is dead, why would I fast? Is he able to return again? I shall go to him and he cannot come to me”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_samuel/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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.' <a href="/sep/2_samuel/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But now it is dead, why should I fast thus? shall I be able to bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. <a href="/parallel/2_samuel/12-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=3111" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/12.htm">David's Loss and Repentance</a> …22David answered, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let him live.’ 23<a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">But now</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mêṯ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">that he is dead,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">why</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">should I</a> <a href="/hebrew/6684.htm" title="6684: ṣām (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To abstain from food, fast. A primitive root; to cover over, i.e. To fast.">fast?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: ha·’ū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally.">Can</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: la·hă·šî·ḇōw (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">I bring him back</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ‘ō·wḏ (Adv) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">again?</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I will</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hō·lêḵ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">go</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">but he</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yā·šūḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">return</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāy (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to me.”</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13-14</a> Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. / For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. <a href="/job/7-8.htm">Job 7:8-10</a> The eye that beholds me will no longer see me. You will look for me, but I will be no more. / As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to Sheol does not come back up. / He never returns to his house; his place remembers him no more. <a href="/matthew/22-31.htm">Matthew 22:31-32</a> But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said to you: / ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” <a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25-26</a> Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” <a href="/1_corinthians/15-51.htm">1 Corinthians 15:51-54</a> Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— / in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. / For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ... <a href="/isaiah/26-19.htm">Isaiah 26:19</a> Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead. <a href="/revelation/21-4.htm">Revelation 21:4</a> ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:7</a> before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it. <a href="/luke/16-22.htm">Luke 16:22-23</a> One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. / In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. <a href="/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21-23</a> For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. / But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. / I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. <a href="/genesis/37-35.htm">Genesis 37:35</a> All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him. <a href="/1_samuel/28-19.htm">1 Samuel 28:19</a> Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.” <a href="/john/14-1.htm">John 14:1-3</a> “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. / In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20-22</a> But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. / For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Psalm 16:10-11</a> For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. / You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But now he is dead, why should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.I shall go<a href="/genesis/37-35.htm">Genesis 37:35</a> 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.<a href="/job/30-23.htm">Job 30:23</a> For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.<a href="/luke/23-43.htm">Luke 23:43</a> And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.he shall not<a href="/job/7-8.htm">Job 7:8-10</a> The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/12-22.htm">Able</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-22.htm">Child</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-21.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-21.htm">Died</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-21.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-22.htm">Food</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-9.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-22.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-10.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/15-34.htm">Able</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm">Child</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-32.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-33.htm">Died</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-2.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-5.htm">Food</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-7.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-26.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-19.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-4.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 12</div>1. <a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.</a> 7. <a href="/2_samuel/12-7.htm">David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned</a> 15. <a href="/2_samuel/12-15.htm">David mourns and prays for the child while it lives</a> 24. <a href="/2_samuel/12-24.htm">Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah</a> 26. <a href="/2_samuel/12-26.htm">David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereof</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>But now that he is dead This phrase refers to the death of David's child, born from his union with Bathsheba. The context is the consequence of David's sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. Nathan the prophet had foretold the child's death as a divine judgment (<a href="/2_samuel/12-14.htm">2 Samuel 12:14</a>). The death signifies the finality of God's judgment in this instance, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and its consequences.why should I fast? Fasting in the Old Testament was often associated with mourning, repentance, or seeking God's favor (e.g., <a href="/1_samuel/7-6.htm">1 Samuel 7:6</a>, <a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5</a>). David had fasted and prayed while the child was ill, hoping for God's mercy (<a href="/2_samuel/12-16.htm">2 Samuel 12:16</a>). This rhetorical question indicates David's acceptance of God's will and the futility of fasting now that the child has died. It reflects a shift from seeking intervention to accepting God's sovereign decision.Can I bring him back again? This question underscores the irreversible nature of death. In the ancient Near Eastern context, death was seen as a one-way journey, with no return to earthly life. This aligns with the broader biblical understanding that life and death are in God's hands (<a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a>, <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:2</a>). The question highlights human limitations and the acceptance of divine sovereignty over life and death.I will go to him David expresses a belief in an afterlife, suggesting that he will one day join his child in death. This reflects an early understanding of life beyond the grave, which is more fully developed in later biblical texts (e.g., <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a>, <a href="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20-22</a>). It also conveys a sense of hope and reunion, indicating that death is not the end of existence.but he will not return to me. This final phrase reiterates the permanence of death and the separation it causes in this life. It acknowledges the reality that the child cannot return to the living, emphasizing the finality of earthly life. This acceptance is a crucial part of David's grieving process and reflects a trust in God's ultimate plan, even amidst personal loss. The phrase also subtly points to the future hope of resurrection and eternal life, themes that are central to Christian eschatology.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The King of Israel, a man after God's own heart, who sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrating the death of her husband, Uriah. 2. <a href="/topical/b/bathsheba.htm">Bathsheba</a> The wife of Uriah, who became pregnant by David, leading to the events surrounding the death of their child. 3. <a href="/topical/n/nathan_the_prophet.htm">Nathan the Prophet</a> God's messenger who confronted David about his sin, leading to David's repentance. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_child.htm">The Child</a> The son born to David and Bathsheba, who became ill and died as a consequence of David's sin. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where these events took place, serving as the political and spiritual center of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/acceptance_of_god's_sovereignty.htm">Acceptance of God's Sovereignty</a> David's response to his child's death demonstrates a profound acceptance of God's will. We are reminded to trust in God's sovereignty, even in the face of loss and suffering. <a href="/topical/h/hope_of_reunion.htm">Hope of Reunion</a> The phrase "I will go to him" suggests a belief in an afterlife and the hope of reunion with loved ones. This can comfort believers who mourn, knowing that death is not the end. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_forgiveness.htm">Repentance and Forgiveness</a> David's account highlights the importance of genuine repentance. Despite his grave sins, David sought God's forgiveness, which is a model for us to seek reconciliation with God. <a href="/topical/l/life's_temporal_nature.htm">Life's Temporal Nature</a> The passage underscores the transient nature of life. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on what truly matters in light of eternity. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_fasting_and_prayer.htm">The Role of Fasting and Prayer</a> David's fasting and prayer before the child's death show the importance of seeking God earnestly in times of crisis, while also accepting His ultimate decision.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 12</a> <a href="/q/what_happens_to_babies_who_die.htm">What happens to babies who die?</a> <a href="/q/did_david_dance_nude_before_the_lord.htm">Do infants enter heaven after death?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_child_salvation.htm">What does the Bible say about salvation for children?</a> <a href="/q/why_stress_over_tomorrow_today.htm">What happens to young children after they die?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) I shall go to him.--As far as the mere words themselves are concerned, this might be taken as the expression of a Stoic's comfort, "I shall go to the dead, but the dead will not come to me;" but David, in his whole nature and belief, was as far as possible from being a Stoic, and these words in his mouth can scarcely be anything else than an expression of confidence in a life of consciousness beyond the grave, and of the future recognition of those loved on earth.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. These words indicate, first of all, much personal feeling for the child. Hence some have supposed that, as Solomon is placed last of Bathsheba's four sons in <a href="/2_samuel/5-14.htm">2 Samuel 5:14</a> and <a href="/1_chronicles/3-5.htm">1 Chronicles 3:5</a>, three other sons had already been borne by her, and that consequently this child, the fruit of their adultery, would now have been seven or eight years of age. It is certainly remarkable that in ver. 16 David calls him "the lad" (so the Hebrew), though in every other place he is styled "the child." On the other hand, we gather from ver. 14 that probably he was as yet the only child, and this is the more reasonable view, even if Solomon was the youngest son (but see note on ver. 24). But secondly, the words indicate a belief in the continued existence of the child, and even that David would recognize and know him in the future world. Less than this would have given no comfort to the father for his loss. Now, it is true that we can find no clear dogmatic teaching in the early Scriptures upon the immortality of the soul. Job could give expression to no such hope in Job 7:6-10, and the belief in a world to come would have solved the difficulties of himself and his friends, which really are left unsolved. Even in the Psalms there are words that border on despair (see <a href="/psalms/6-5.htm">Psalm 6:5</a>; <a href="/psalms/30-9.htm">Psalm 30:9</a>; <a href="/psalms/88-11.htm">Psalm 88:11</a>; <a href="/psalms/115-17.htm">Psalm 115:17</a>); nor had Hezekiah any such belief in continued existence as could solace him in the expectation of an early death (<a href="/isaiah/38-18.htm">Isaiah 38:18, 19</a>). This hopelessness was not unnatural at a time when the doctrine had not been as yet clearly taught. On the other hand, in <a href="/psalms/17-15.htm">Psalm 17:15</a> and Psalm 16:9-11 We find proof that David did believe in his own immortality. For though the latter words have a second and higher meaning, yet the primary sense of <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Psalm 16:10</a> is that David's own soul (or self) would not always remain in Sheol, the abode of the departed, nor would he, Jehovah's anointed one, see such corruption as would end in annihilation. <a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/12-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But now וְעַתָּ֣ה ׀ (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> At this time that he is dead, מֵ֗ת (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill why לָ֤מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what should I אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I fast? צָ֔ם (ṣām) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6684.htm">Strong's 6684: </a> To abstain from food, fast Can הַאוּכַ֥ל (ha·’ū·ḵal) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3201.htm">Strong's 3201: </a> To be able, have power I bring him back לַהֲשִׁיב֖וֹ (la·hă·šî·ḇōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again again? ע֑וֹד (‘ō·wḏ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more I will אֲנִי֙ (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I go הֹלֵ֣ךְ (hō·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk to him, אֵלָ֔יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to but he וְה֖וּא (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are will not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no return יָשׁ֥וּב (yā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to me.” אֵלָֽי׃ (’ê·lāy) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/12-23.htm">2 Samuel 12:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/12-23.htm">2 Samuel 12:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_samuel/12-23.htm">2 Samuel 12:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/12-23.htm">2 Samuel 12:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/12-23.htm">2 Samuel 12:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/12-23.htm">2 Samuel 12:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/12-23.htm">2 Samuel 12:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/12-23.htm">2 Samuel 12:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/12-23.htm">2 Samuel 12:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_samuel/12-23.htm">2 Samuel 12:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-23.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 12:23 But now he is dead why should (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/12-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 12:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 12:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/12-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 12:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 12:24" /></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>