2 Samuel 12 20

2 Samuel 12:20 kjv

Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

2 Samuel 12:20 nkjv

So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate.

2 Samuel 12:20 niv

Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, 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.

2 Samuel 12:20 esv

Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.

2 Samuel 12:20 nlt

Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the LORD. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate.

2 Samuel 12 verses

2 Samuel 12 20 Meaning

After the death of his child born to Bathsheba, David ceased his period of intense mourning, cleansing himself and returning to his kingly duties and daily life. His immediate actions, including worshipping God in the Tabernacle and then eating, signified his acceptance of God's judgment and his trust in the Lord's sovereignty even in profound grief. This transformation demonstrated a deep spiritual maturity, prioritizing worship and acknowledging divine will over prolonged despair.

2 Samuel 12 20 Context

This verse marks a pivotal turning point in David's response to the divine judgment concerning the child born of his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. Previously, David had engaged in fervent fasting and mourning, lying on the ground, clinging to the hope that God might relent (2 Sam 12:16-19). This intense period of supplication reflected his genuine sorrow and desperation to avert the prophecy of death delivered by Nathan (2 Sam 12:14). His servants, observing his unprecedented behavior, struggled to understand it. However, the child's death irrevocably signaled God's sealed decree. David's subsequent actions, as described in 2 Samuel 12:20, reveal a profound understanding of divine sovereignty and the appropriate response to the irreversible will of God. It shifts from intercessory pleading to humble acceptance and renewed worship.

2 Samuel 12 20 Word analysis

• Then David arose from the ground:

  • Then: (וַיָּקָם֙ - va-ya-qom) Marks an immediate transition, a definitive change in action following the news of the child's death.
  • David arose: From a posture of abject grief and supplication (lying on the ground, 2 Sam 12:16). This action signifies a resolute shift from pleading to acceptance, moving on from the state of mourning.
  • from the ground: His prior prostrate position symbolized humility, penance, and desperate entreaty. Rising signifies the conclusion of that specific phase of spiritual engagement.

• and washed and anointed himself:

  • washed (וַיִּרְחַץ֙ - va-yir-ḥatz): Literally to cleanse. This was a common act of ritual purification and a return to normal hygiene after a period of mourning and ritual impurity (often associated with death in ancient Israel). It symbolically signifies shedding the uncleanness and the physical manifestations of grief.
  • anointed himself (וַיָּ֫סֶךְ - va-ya-sukh): Applying oil. A routine act of grooming and preparing oneself for daily life, often associated with a sense of renewal or preparation. In biblical times, withholding anointing oil was a sign of mourning or distress (cf. Dan 10:3, Mat 6:17), so its resumption indicated the cessation of deep sorrow.

• and changed his clothes:

  • changed his clothes (וַיְחַלֵּ֥ף שִׂמְלֹתָ֖יו - va-ye-ḥal-leph śim-lo-thav): He exchanged his worn mourning garments (likely sackcloth or simple attire indicative of lament, cf. Isa 22:12) for his regular, or possibly fine, clothes. This is a clear outward sign of concluding the period of mourning and resuming a public role.

• And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped:

  • house of the LORD (בֵּית יְהוָ֑ה - beith YHVH): Refers to the Tabernacle, where the Ark of the Covenant was located at that time in Jerusalem. This was the central place of worship and divine presence for Israel. His first destination underscores his spiritual focus.
  • worshiped (וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ - va-yish-ta-ḥu): Bowing low or prostrating himself in humble adoration. This act of profound submission to God demonstrates David's acceptance of God's sovereign decision and continued reverence for Him, despite the devastating outcome. It reveals faith beyond emotion.

• Then he went to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate:

  • Then he went to his own house: A return to personal space and the duties of domestic life. It indicates a restoration of order.
  • when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate: His previous fasting was for the child's life. Now, with the child dead, he breaks his fast. Eating signifies a return to normal life and sustenance, affirming that life goes on and God provides for His people. It signifies the physical restoration that mirrors the spiritual acceptance.
  • he ate: (וַיֹּ֣אכַל - va-yo-khal): Consuming food after fasting, indicates renewal and continuation of life.

2 Samuel 12 20 Bonus section

David's actions here reflect an advanced spiritual maturity not always seen even among the most devout. His servants' confusion in 2 Samuel 12:19 ("How can we tell him the child is dead... he might do himself some harm!") highlights the stark contrast between human expectation of despair and David's God-centered acceptance. His public cleansing and change of clothes were not merely practical but a symbolic statement of relinquishing his public posture of lament and moving into a posture of normalcy and duty, guided by faith. This shift reveals that for David, the purpose of mourning was intercession, not self-pity or endless sorrow, demonstrating an understanding of a temporal window for human appeal to God.

2 Samuel 12 20 Commentary

2 Samuel 12:20 captures David's exemplary, though often counter-intuitive, spiritual response to divine judgment and profound loss. His actions—cleansing, dressing, worshipping, and eating—are a conscious departure from societal norms of prolonged mourning. Rather than descending into despair or questioning God, David demonstrates a deep theological understanding: he had pleaded earnestly for his son's life while there was hope, but once God's decree was sealed by the child's death, further entreaty was moot. His immediate act of worship in "the house of the LORD" is paramount. It signals his complete submission to God's will, affirming that even in the face of immense personal tragedy caused by his own sin, God remains worthy of adoration. David acknowledged God's righteous judgment and accepted its painful reality, choosing faith and reverence over continued anguish. This passage underscores that true worship can happen even amidst sorrow, and that accepting God's sovereignty is key to spiritual recovery and resilience. It serves as a model for handling trials, teaching us to grieve with hope and to find strength to return to our responsibilities by anchoring ourselves in God.