2 Samuel 12:22

Modern

David answered, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let him live.’

Traditional

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

Literal

And he said, “While the child was alive I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows that YHWH may be gracious, and the child may live?’

Latin

Qui ait: Propter infantem, dum adhuc viveret, jejunavi et flevi: dicebam enim: Quis scit si forte donet eum mihi Dominus, et vivat infans?

Hebrew

English

David answered, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let him live.’

David mourned and fasted before his son died, hoping that God would remove the punishment.

Chapter 12 expands on the final part of 2 Samuel 11:27.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah 38:1–3
In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’”
Isaiah 38:5
“Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
Jonah 3:9–10
Who knows? God may turn and relent; He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish.”
Joel 2:14
Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him—grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.
Joel 1:14
Consecrate a fast; proclaim a solemn assembly! Gather the elders and all the residents of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.
Jonah 1:6
The captain approached him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call upon your God. Perhaps this God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”
James 4:9–10
Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.
Amos 5:15
Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”