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2 Samuel 12:22

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 12:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knoweth whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knoweth whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?
2 Samuel 12:22 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
20Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel; and he came into the house of Jehovah, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
21Then 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 eat bread.
22And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knoweth whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?
23But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.
24And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon. And Jehovah loved him;
25and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, for Jehovah`s sake.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said, while the child was yet alive, etc.] And so there was hope it might be continued: I fasted and wept; or sought the Lord by prayer, and fasting, and weeping, that the threatening might not take place, that the child’s life might be spared: for I said; within himself, thus he reasoned in his own mind: who can tell [whether] God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? and in hope of this he kept praying, fasting, and weeping; he could not tell but God might repent of the evil he had threatened, as in some cases he has done; (see <290213>Joel 2:13,14 Jon 3:9,10). Abarbinel thinks that David fasted and wept to hide this matter from his wife, and his servants, and did not let…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I fasted: Isa 38:1-3, Isa 38:5; Joe 1:14, Joe 2:14; Amo 5:15; Jon 1:6, Jon 3:9, Jon 3:10; Jam 4:9, Jam 4:10 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 12:23”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification