2 Samuel 12:16

“David therefore besought God for the child, etc.] Perhaps went into the tabernacle he had built for the ark, and prayed to the Lord to restore the child, and spare its life; for though the Lord had said it should die, he might hope that that was a conditional threatening, and that the Lord might be gracious and reverse it, (<101222>2 Samuel 12:22); and David fasted: all that day: and went in; to his own house from the house of God: and lay all night upon the earth; would neither go into, nor lie upon a bed, but lay on the floor all night, weeping and praying for the child’s life, and especially for its eternal welfare: he having through sin been the means of its coming into a sinful and…”

“The death of the infant child of one of the numerous harem of an Oriental monarch would in general be a matter of little moment to the father. The deep feeling shown by David on this occasion is both an indication of his affectionate and tender nature, and also a proof of the strength of his passion for Bath-sheba. He went into his most private chamber, his closet Matthew 6:6, and “lay upon the earth” 2 Samuel 13:31, rather “the ground,” meaning the floor of his chamber as opposed to his couch. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Besought - Supposing the threatening might be conditional, and so the execution of it prevented by prayer. Went - Into his closet. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 12:17”

“besought: Sa2 12:22; Psa 50:15; Isa 26:16; Joe 2:12-14; Jon 3:9 fasted: Heb. fasted a fast, Est 4:16; Psa 69:10; Isa 22:12; Act 9:9 lay all night: Sa2 13:31; Job 20:12-14 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 12:17”