2 Samuel 12:23

23 But now that he's dead, why fast? Can I bring him back now? I can go to him, but he can't come to me."

2 Samuel 12:23 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 12:23

But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast?
&c.] And pray; it is to no purpose, no end can be thought to be answered by it:

can I bring him back again?
from the state of the dead, bring him to life by fasting, and praying, and weeping; that is not to e expected:

I shall go to him;
to the state of the dead, to the grave, where his body was, or would be; to heaven and eternal happiness, where his soul was, as he comfortably hoped and believed: from whence it appears, that the Old Testament saints did not suppose an annihilation at death; but believed the immortality of the soul, a future state after death of eternal life and bliss:

but he shall not return to me;
in the present mortal state, though at the resurrection they should meet again.

2 Samuel 12:23 In-Context

21 His servants asked him, "What's going on with you? While the child was alive you fasted and wept and stayed up all night. Now that he's dead, you get up and eat."

22 "While the child was alive," he said, "I fasted and wept, thinking God might have mercy on me and the child would live.

23 But now that he's dead, why fast? Can I bring him back now? I can go to him, but he can't come to me."

24 David went and comforted his wife Bathsheba. And when he slept with her, they conceived a son. When he was born they named him Solomon. God had a special love for him

25 and sent word by Nathan the prophet that God wanted him named Jedidiah (God's Beloved).