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2 Samuel 12:23

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 12:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But 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.
2 Samuel 12:23 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
26Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
← 2 Samuel 12:222 Samuel 12:24 →
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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
“But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? etc.] 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,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I fast - Seeing fasting and prayer cannot now prevail with God for his life. I shall go to him - Into the state of the dead in which he is, and into heaven, where I doubt not I shall find him. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 12:24”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:23 Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day: The irreversibility of his son’s death forced David to face his own mortality. But he also showed his confidence in the afterlife.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I shall go: Gen 37:35; Job 30:23; Luk 23:43 he shall not: Job 7:8-10 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 12:24”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 12 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification