But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
Parallel translations
- WEB But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
- KJV 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.
- NKJV But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
- NASB But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I am going to him, but he will not return to me.”
- NLT But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Now that the child is dead, David ceases fasting, knowing he cannot bring him back, yet trusts he will one day go to him. This verse gives a tender glimpse of hope beyond death.
Overview
David accepts God's sovereign decision with sober realism, recognizing the irreversibility of death in this life. His confidence that 'I will go to him' has long comforted believers as an early intimation of life beyond the grave and reunion with departed loved ones. In the fuller light of Christ's resurrection, such hope is grounded and secured for all who trust in Him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Gen 37:35All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.
- Job 30:23Yes, I know that You will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.
- Luke 23:43And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
- Job 7:8–10The eye that beholds me will no longer see me. You will look for me, but I will be no more.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 12:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.