2 Samuel 12 23

2 Samuel 12:23 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 12:23 nkjv

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."

2 Samuel 12:23 niv

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."

2 Samuel 12:23 esv

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."

2 Samuel 12:23 nlt

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."

2 Samuel 12 verses

2 Samuel 12 23 Meaning

2 Samuel 12:23 encapsulates King David's profound theological response to the death of his infant son, conceived through adultery with Bathsheba. Having fervently fasted and mourned in the hope of the child's survival while he was alive, David immediately ceases his grieving once the child dies. He recognizes the irreversible nature of death, understanding that his earthly actions can no longer alter God's decree. The verse reveals David's conviction in a life beyond this one, expressing comfort in the prospect of his own eventual death and subsequent reunion with his son in the realm of the departed. This signifies not despair, but acceptance of divine will and a forward-looking hope in an existence beyond present physical life.

2 Samuel 12 23 Context

The immediate context of 2 Samuel 12:23 is King David's response to the death of the son born from his illicit union with Bathsheba, after Nathan the prophet had confronted David about his sin. God, through Nathan, had pronounced judgment: "The sword shall never depart from your house" and that the child born to David and Bathsheba would die (2 Sam 12:10-14). While the child was alive but ill, David humbled himself greatly, fasted, wept, and lay on the ground, appealing to God for mercy. His servants were astonished by his deep sorrow. However, the moment the child died, David remarkably rose, bathed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, worshipped the Lord in the tabernacle, and then returned home to eat. His servants, baffled by this sudden shift from intense mourning to apparent calm, questioned him. This verse (12:23) is David's explanation, providing profound theological insight into his understanding of death and the afterlife. Historically, during this period, beliefs about the afterlife, particularly Sheol (the realm of the dead), were less fully articulated than in later prophetic or New Testament revelation, but David clearly possessed a hope that transcended the grave.

2 Samuel 12 23 Word analysis

• But now he is dead: (וְעַתָּה מֵת הוּא – ve’attah met hu) This phrase signifies a decisive change in circumstance. "Dead" (met) emphasizes the irreversible biological cessation of life. David recognizes the finality of this earthly state, shifting from a plea for reversal (while the child was alive) to acceptance of the divine decree once enacted.
• why should I fast?: (לָמָּה זֶּה אָצוּם – lammah zeh atsum?) David's fasting was a demonstration of repentance, humility, and desperate supplication for divine intervention. Once death occurred, the purpose of his fasting—to potentially alter God's decree and spare the child's life—was removed. There was no longer any active petition to be made concerning this life.
• Can I bring him back again?: (הַאוּכַל לְהֲשִׁיבוֹ עוֹד – ha’ukhal l’hashivoh od?) A rhetorical question emphasizing human powerlessness over death. The verb "bring back" (shuv) speaks to restoring him to his former physical life, which is impossible. This underscores the definitive nature of mortality from a human perspective.
• I shall go to him: (אֲנִי אֹלֵךְ אֵלָיו – ani elekh elav) This is a statement of profound hope and theological understanding. "Go" (halakh) implies his own future physical death and entry into the realm where his son now dwells (Sheol/the grave). Crucially, for David, this is not just descent into the common dust but anticipates a state of being where he can reunite with his child. It reflects a personal expectation of a continuing existence and potential fellowship beyond physical life. Many early Jewish and Christian interpretations see this as a statement of hope for eternal reunion, particularly with the understanding that young children who die are in a state of grace or innocence.
• but he will not return to me: (וְהוּא לֹא יָשׁוּב אֵלָי – v’hu lo yashuv elay) Reinforces the previous rhetorical question. His son will not be revived and come back to this earthly existence. The finality of earthly separation is contrasted with the hope of future reunion in a different realm. This distinction highlights David's understanding that earthly life, once lost, cannot be reclaimed by human means.

Words-group Analysis:

• "But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again?": This sequence articulates David's immediate pivot from a state of hopeful intercession to one of logical acceptance. It reveals his understanding of divine sovereignty and the boundary of human capability. Fasting is for influencing outcomes, not reversing completed divine acts.
• "I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.": This encapsulates David's eschatological hope and his comfort. The first clause expresses faith in a continued existence after death and a prospective reunion, suggesting the son's innocent state and God's mercy. The second clause serves as a factual, solemn recognition of the earthly finality of death, distinguishing reunion in the afterlife from a physical resurrection on earth. It forms a powerful statement of hopeful resignation.

2 Samuel 12 23 Bonus section

• This verse is one of the Old Testament's most comforting passages regarding the fate of children who die in infancy, implicitly suggesting their spiritual safety and the possibility of future reunion with their believing parents.
• David's actions underscore the principle of proper grieving: mourning is appropriate during a season of loss, but prolonged, hopeless sorrow is unnecessary for those who understand God's eternal plan and sovereignty.
• David's faith is not diminished by the death but affirmed; he acknowledges God's unchangeable will and finds peace in God's wider, eternal plan rather than rebelling against an earthly tragedy.
• The phrase "I shall go to him" can be seen as an early glimpse of resurrection hope, fulfilled more explicitly in later prophetic writings (e.g., Isa 26:19, Dan 12:2) and fully revealed in Christ's resurrection.

2 Samuel 12 23 Commentary

2 Samuel 12:23 is a deeply significant verse because it reveals King David's mature and insightful theological perspective on death, providence, and the afterlife. His change in behavior after his son's death, from intense petition to calm acceptance and worship, demonstrates a profound grasp of divine sovereignty. While he fasted and prayed when the child was alive, he understood that once God's decree was executed, human supplication had reached its earthly limit. His question, "Can I bring him back again?" is not despair, but a rhetorical acknowledgement of death's finality in terms of earthly return. The heart of the verse lies in his declaration, "I shall go to him." This indicates a firm belief in an afterlife, where David anticipates joining his deceased child. Though the Old Testament's understanding of Sheol (the realm of the dead) evolved, David clearly had a comfort and expectation beyond the mere physical cessation of life, hinting at a personal reunion. This has offered immense solace throughout history to parents grieving the loss of children, suggesting a hopeful continuity of relationship beyond death, particularly for those who die innocent or within God's covenant. This verse implies God's mercy extends to the youngest, an enduring source of comfort for those who have experienced infant loss.