2 Samuel 12:19-23

New International Version

¹⁹David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked.

“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”

²⁰Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed,^(A) put on lotions and changed his clothes,^(B) he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

²¹His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept,^(C) but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”

²²He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows?^(D) The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’^(E) ²³But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him,^(F) but he will not return to me.”^(G)

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2 Samuel 12:19-23

New King James Version

¹⁹When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?”

And they said, “He is dead.”

²⁰So David arose from the ground, washed and ^(A)anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and ^(B)worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. ²¹Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.”

²²And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; ^(C)for I said, ‘Who can tell whether ^[a]the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ ²³But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go ^(D)to him, but ^(E)he shall not return to me.”