Key Verse Spotlight
2 Samuel 12:18 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" On the seventh day, the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him and he didn’t listen to our voice. How will he then harm himself if we tell him that the child is dead?” "
2 Samuel 12:18
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
16 David therefore begged God for the child; and David fasted, and went in and lay all night on the ground.
17 The elders of his house arose beside him, to raise him up from the earth; but he would not, and he didn’t eat bread with them.
18 On the seventh day, the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him and he didn’t listen to our voice. How will he then harm himself if we tell him that the child is dead?”
19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.”
20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into the LORD’s house, and worshiped. Then he came to his own house; and when he requested, they set bread before him and he ate.
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2 Samuel 12:1
"The LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, “There were two men in one city: the one rich, and the other poor."
2 Samuel 12:2
"The rich man had very many flocks and herds,"
2 Samuel 12:3
"but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was like a daughter to him."
2 Samuel 12:4
"A traveler came to the rich man, and he didn’t want to take of his own flock and of his own herd to prepare for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”"
2 Samuel 12:5
"David’s anger burned hot against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die!"
2 Samuel 12:6
"He must restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and because he had no pity!”"
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