2 Samuel 12:20-23

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

²⁰ Then David rose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He went into the house of the Lord and worshiped; he then went to his own house, and when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.^{(A) 21} Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while it was alive, but when the child died, you rose 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, and the child may live.’^{(B) 23} But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”^(C)