2 Samuel 12:23

23 But now for he is dead, why fast I? whether I shall be able to again-call him more? I shall go more to him, but he shall not turn again to me. (But now that he is dead, why should I fast? can I call him back again? One day, I shall go to him, but he shall never return 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 And his servants said to him, What is the word that thou hast done? Thou hast fasted, and wept for the young child, while he lived yet; but when the child was dead, thou risedest/thou hast risen up, and atest bread? (And his servants said to him, What is this? Thou hast fasted, and wept for the young child, while yet he lived; but when the child was dead, thou hast risen up, and eaten food?)

22 And David said, I fasted and wept for the young child, when he lived yet; for I said, Who knoweth, if peradventure the Lord give him to me, and the young child live? (And David said, Yes, I fasted and wept for the young child, while yet he lived; for I said, Who knoweth, perhaps the Lord shall give him back to me, and the young child shall live.)

23 But now for he is dead, why fast I? whether I shall be able to again-call him more? I shall go more to him, but he shall not turn again to me. (But now that he is dead, why should I fast? can I call him back again? One day, I shall go to him, but he shall never return to me.)

24 And David comforted Bathsheba, his wife; and he entered [in] to her, and slept with her. And she engendered a son, and David called his name Solomon; and the Lord loved him.

25 And he sent him in the hand of Nathan, the prophet; and he called his name Amiable to the Lord, for the Lord loved him. (And he sent word through Nathan, the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, that is, Beloved of the Lord, for the Lord loved him.)