Thematic Bible: Of his child by bath-sheba

And Nathan left to go to his house. And Jehovah struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it was very sick. And David prayed to God for the child. And David fasted, and went in and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house rose up toward him, to raise him up from the earth. But he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. read more.
And it happened on the seventh day, the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, Behold, while the child was still alive we spoke to him, and he would not listen to our voice. How then will he trouble himself if we tell him that the child is dead? But David saw that his servants whispered. And David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, Is the boy dead? And they said, He is dead. And David arose from the earth and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothing, and came into the house of Jehovah and worshiped. And he came to his house, and commanded, and they brought bread before him and he ate. Then his servants said to him, What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the living boy, but when the child was dead you arose and ate bread! And he said, While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, Who can tell if God will be gracious to me so that the child may live? 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.