File:Death of the Son of King David and Bathsheba - II Samuel 12 15-23.jpg

Summary
Death of the son of King David and Bathsheba.

II Samuel 12:15-23

'''12:15. Nathan returned to his house. The Lord also struck the child which the wife of Uriah had borne to David, and his life was despaired of.'''

12:16. David besought the Lord for the child: and David kept a fast, and going in by himself lay upon the ground.

12:17. The ancients of his house came, to make him rise from the ground: but he would not, neither did he eat meat with them.

'''12:18. It came to pass on the seventh day that the child died: and the servants of David feared to tell him, that the child was dead. For they said: Behold when the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he would not hearken to our voice: how much more will he afflict himself if we tell him that the child is dead?'''

'''12:19. But when David saw his servants whispering, he understood that the child was dead: and he said to his servants: Is the child dead? They answered him, "He is dead."'''

12:20. Then David arose from the ground, and washed and anointed himself: and when he had changed his apparel, he went into the house of the Lord: and worshipped, and then he came into his own house, and he called for bread, and ate.

'''12:21. His servants said to him: What thing is this that you have done? you did fast and weep for the child, while it was alive, but when the child was dead, you did rise up, and eat bread.'''

12:22. He said: While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept for him: for I said: Who knowswhether the Lord may not give him to me, and the child may live?

'''12:23. But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Shall I be able to bring him back any more? I shall go to him rather: but he shall not return to me.'''