2 Samuel 12:21 net — His servants said to him,“What is this that you have done? While the child was still alive, you fasted and wept. Once t…

NET Bible

"His servants said to him,“What is this that you have done? While the child was still alive, you fasted and wept. Once the child was dead you got up and ate food!”"

— 2 Samuel 12:21, NET Bible

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2 Samuel 12:21 in Other Translations

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2 Samuel 12 — Context

18

On the seventh day the child died. But the servants of David were afraid to inform him that the child had died, for they said,“While the child was still alive he would not listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He will do himself harm!”

19

When David saw that his servants were whispering to one another, he realized that the child was dead. So David asked his servants,“Is the child dead?” They replied,“Yes, he’s dead.”

20

So David got up from the ground, bathed, put on oil, and changed his clothes. He went to the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then, when he entered his palace, he requested that food be brought to him, and he ate.

21

His servants said to him,“What is this that you have done? While the child was still alive, you fasted and wept. Once the child was dead you got up and ate food!”

22

He replied,“While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept because I thought,‘Perhaps the LORD will show pity and the child will live.

23

But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Am I able to bring him back at this point? I will go to him, but he cannot return to me!’”

24

So David comforted his wife Bathsheba. He came to her and went to bed with her. Later she gave birth to a son, and David named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved the child

2 Samuel 12:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Samuel 12:21 say?
2 Samuel 12:21 in the NET Bible reads: “His servants said to him,“What is this that you have done? While the child was still alive, you fasted and wept. Once the child was dead you got up and ate food!””
Where is 2 Samuel 12:21 in the Bible?
2 Samuel 12:21 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 12, verse 21.
Who wrote 2 Samuel?
2 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Nathan and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 2 Samuel about?
2 Samuel records David's reign — his rise to the throne, the conquest of Jerusalem, the eternal covenant God makes with his house, and the moral failure with Bathsheba that fractures his family. From the highs of triumph to the depths of repentance, David remains the messianic prototype.
What are the major themes of 2 Samuel?
2 Samuel explores themes including Davidic Covenant, Sin & Repentance, Kingdom, Mercy, Consequences. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Samuel 12:21.
What translation should I read 2 Samuel 12:21 in?
2 Samuel 12:21 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 2 Samuel 12:21?
2 Samuel 12:21 reads (NET): “His servants said to him,“What is this that you have done? While the child was still alive, you fasted and wept. Once the child was dead you got up and ate food!”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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