2 Samuel 12:21 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“Then said his servants unto him, What thing {is} this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, {while it was} alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.”

2 Samuel 12:21

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

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.

Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed {himself}, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

Then said his servants unto him, What thing {is} this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, {while it was} alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

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?

But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

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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. {meat: Heb. morsel}"

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: {shall...: or, is worthy to die, or, is a son of death}"

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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