19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” 20 So David got up from the ground, (A)washed, 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 asked, they served him food, and he ate.

21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was [a]alive; but when the child died, you got up and ate food.” 22 And he said, “While the child was still alive, (C)I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘(D)Who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me, and the child may live.’ 23 But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? (E)I am going to him, but (F)he will not return to me.”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 12:21 Some ancient versions still alive

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