Key Verse Spotlight
2 Samuel 12:17 — Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing—and how to apply it today
King James Version
" And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. "
2 Samuel 12:17
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
And 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, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then ➔ vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
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From This Chapter
2 Samuel 12:1
"And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor."
2 Samuel 12:2
"The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:"
2 Samuel 12:3
"But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter."
2 Samuel 12:4
"And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him."
2 Samuel 12:5
"And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:"
2 Samuel 12:6
"And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."
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