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2 Samuel 12:23 nasb — "But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."

NASB

""But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.""

— 2 Samuel 12:23, NASB

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2 Samuel 12:23 in Other Translations

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2 Samuel 12 — Context

20

So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate.

21

Then his servants said to him, "What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food."

22

He said, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.'

23

"But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."

24

Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her; and she gave birth to a son, and he named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved him

25

and sent word through Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah for the LORD'S sake.

26

Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the sons of Ammon and captured the royal city.

2 Samuel 12:23 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Samuel 12:23 say?
2 Samuel 12:23 in the NASB reads: “"But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."”
Where is 2 Samuel 12:23 in the Bible?
2 Samuel 12:23 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 12, verse 23.
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 12:23.
What translation should I read 2 Samuel 12:23 in?
2 Samuel 12:23 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 12:23?
2 Samuel 12:23 reads (NASB): “"But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."” 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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