13
And Davidsaid unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathansaid unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die .
14
Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme , the child also that is born unto thee shall surelydie .
15
And Nathandeparted unto his house. And the LORDstruck the child that Uriah'swifebare unto David, and it was very sick .
16
David therefore besoughtGod for the child; and Davidfasted* , and went in , and lay all night upon the earth.
17
And the elders of his housearose , and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eatbread with them.
18
And it came to pass on the seventhday, that the childdied . And the servants of Davidfeared to tell him that the child was dead : for they said , Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he thenvexhimself , if we tell him that the child is dead ?
19
But when Davidsaw that his servantswhispered , Davidperceived that the child was dead : therefore Davidsaid unto his servants, Is the childdead ? And they said , He is dead .
20
Then Davidarose 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 setbread before him, and he did eat .
21
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 eatbread.
22
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?
23
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.