13
David said to Natan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Natan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin. You will not die.
14
However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the LORD's enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die."
15
Natan departed to his house. The LORD struck the child that Uriyah's wife bore to David, and it was very sick.
16
David therefore begged God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the eretz.
17
The Zakenim of his house arose, [and stood] beside him, to raise him up from the eretz: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
18
It happened on the seventh day, that the child died. The servants of David feared 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 vex 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 eretz, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he ate.
21
Then said his servants to him, What thing is this that you have done? you did fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, you did rise and eat bread.
22
He said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knows whether the LORD will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?
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.