2 Samuel 12 17

2 Samuel 12:17 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 12:17 nkjv

So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them.

2 Samuel 12:17 niv

The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

2 Samuel 12:17 esv

And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them.

2 Samuel 12:17 nlt

The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused.

2 Samuel 12 verses

2 Samuel 12 17 Meaning

This verse describes David's deep despair and fervent intercession following the prophet Nathan's pronouncement of judgment. Having been told his child born of Bathsheba would die, David expressed his anguish by prostrating himself on the ground in a posture of extreme humility and supplication. The elders of his household, out of concern and perhaps societal expectation, attempted to console him and urge him to rise and eat, but David adamantly refused, maintaining his fast and his intense focus on prayer for the child's life. It showcases the king's profound grief, genuine repentance, and unwavering hope in God's potential mercy, even in the face of a direct divine word.

2 Samuel 12 17 Context

This verse occurs immediately after Nathan the prophet confronts King David about his sins with Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Sam 12:1-13). Following David's confession, Nathan declares God's judgment: though David would not die for his sin, the child born of his adulterous union with Bathsheba would (2 Sam 12:14). Upon hearing this divine decree, David reacted not with anger or despair but with intense spiritual discipline. He spent seven days fasting and praying, lying prostrate on the ground, hoping God would show mercy and spare the child. This verse highlights the profound depth of David's prayerful intercession and his visible display of contrition during this period of crisis for his child. His household's attempts to comfort and nourish him underline the extreme and prolonged nature of his self-abasement.

2 Samuel 12 17 Word Analysis

• And the elders of his house (וַיָּקֻמוּ זִקְנֵי בֵיתוֹ - vayyaqūmū ziqnê vêytō):
  • וַיָּקֻמוּ (vayyaqūmū - and they arose/stood up): The use of the waw consecutive perfect signifies a sequential action following David's fasting described in the preceding verse. It implies immediate, concerned action.
  • זִקְנֵי בֵיתוֹ (ziqnê vêytō - elders of his house): Ziqnei refers to the mature, respected, and authoritative members of his immediate household or court, likely his close advisors and family. This was not merely servants, but people of stature who had genuine concern for him, signifying the extent and public nature of David's grief within his inner circle.
• arose beside him (עָלָיו - ‘ālāw): The preposition ‘al here implies proximity and action concerning or over him, emphasizing their attempts to interact directly with him. They were gathered around him, showing their concern.
• to raise him up from the ground (לְהֲקִימוֹ מִן הָאָרֶץ - lahaqīmō min hā’āretz):
  • לְהֲקִימוֹ (lahaqīmō - to make him stand up/raise him): This infinitive shows the purpose of their rising. David was lying prostrate, a common posture for intense grief, mourning, repentance, or deep prayer/supplication in ancient Israel, indicating humility and complete submission before God.
  • מִן הָאָרֶץ (min hā’āretz - from the ground): Emphasizes his literal physical position of lowliness. This public act would have been unusual for a king and spoke volumes about his desperate plea.
• but he would not (וְלֹא אָבָה - wəlō’ ’āḇāh):
  • וְלֹא (wəlō’ - but not): Strong negation, indicating a firm refusal.
  • אָבָה (’āḇāh - was willing/consented): David's absolute refusal to be swayed. This signifies his unwavering resolve in his supplication to God and his single-minded focus on the child's life. His spiritual battle was paramount over physical comfort or social custom.
• neither did he eat bread with them (וְלֹא אָכַל לֶחֶם אִתָּם - wəlō’ ’āḵal leḥem ’ittām):
  • וְלֹא אָכַל לֶחֶם (wəlō’ ’āḵal leḥem - and he did not eat bread): Refers to David's continued fasting. Lechem often refers to a meal in general, indicating a complete abstinence from food. Fasting was a common practice associated with intense prayer, mourning, and repentance, seeking God's intervention.
  • אִתָּם (’ittām - with them): This highlights David's complete withdrawal into his private anguish, even from his closest confidantes and family members who offered solace and provision. His devotion to seeking God's mercy superseded all other engagements.

2 Samuel 12 17 Bonus section

David's behavior here contrasts sharply with his regal status and responsibilities, yet it humanizes him as one wrestling deeply with the consequences of his actions before God. This scene serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of sin, even for God's anointed, and the proper response to divine judgment: not rebellion or despair, but humble, fervent, and sustained supplication. It foreshadows David's eventual acceptance of God's will (2 Sam 12:20-23), illustrating that while intercession should be fervent, ultimately faith submits to God's sovereign wisdom and plan. The episode emphasizes that true repentance is not a momentary act but a deep-seated spiritual realignment, often involving tangible displays of humility and reliance on God.

2 Samuel 12 17 Commentary

2 Samuel 12:17 paints a poignant picture of King David in profound spiritual anguish. His prostrate position on the ground was not merely an expression of sorrow but a potent symbol of his abasement before God, demonstrating his profound remorse for his sin and desperate plea for mercy. The "elders of his house" intervening speaks to the duration and visible nature of David's extreme fast; his personal despair was known to his inner circle. His adamant refusal to be comforted or to eat underlines his absolute single-mindedness in seeking divine intervention, believing against hope that God might still relent. This intense dedication shows a heart truly broken by sin and reliant on the God who holds life and death in His hands, contrasting his previous casualness with sin. It is a powerful display of genuine repentance, prayerful wrestling, and humble submission, even while challenging the stated divine decree.