Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” New Living Translation When David saw them whispering, he realized what had happened. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” English Standard Version But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” Berean Standard Bible When David saw that his servants were whispering to one another, he perceived that the child was dead. So he asked his servants, “Is the child dead?” “He is dead,” they replied. King James Bible But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. New King James Version When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” New American Standard Bible But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” NASB 1995 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” NASB 1977 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” Legacy Standard Bible And David saw that his servants were whispering together, so David discerned that the child had died; so David said to his servants, “Has the child died?” And they said, “He has died.” Amplified Bible But when David saw that his servants were whispering to one another, he realized that the child was dead. So David said to them, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” Christian Standard Bible When David saw that his servants were whispering to each other, he guessed that the baby was dead. So he asked his servants, “Is the baby dead? ” “He is dead,” they replied. Holman Christian Standard Bible When David saw that his servants were whispering to each other, he guessed that the baby was dead. So he asked his servants, “Is the baby dead?"” He is dead,” they replied. American Standard Version But 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. Contemporary English Version David noticed his servants whispering, and he knew the boy was dead. "Did my son die?" he asked his servants. "Yes, he did," they answered. English Revised Version But when David saw that his servants whispered together, David perceived that the child was dead: and David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. GOD'S WORD® Translation But when David saw that his officials were whispering to one another, he realized that the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" David asked them. "[Yes,] he is dead," they answered. Good News Translation When David noticed them whispering to each other, he realized that the child had died. So he asked them, "Is the child dead?" "Yes, he is," they answered. International Standard Version But as David observed his staff whispering together, he perceived that the child had died, so he asked his staff, "Is the child dead?" They replied, "He has died." Majority Standard Bible When David saw that his servants were whispering to one another, he perceived that the child was dead. So he asked his servants, ?Is the child dead?? ?He is dead,? they replied. NET Bible When David saw that his servants were whispering to one another, he realized that the child was dead. So David asked his servants, "Is the child dead?" They replied, "Yes, he's dead." New Heart English Bible But when David noticed that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" They said, "He is dead." Webster's Bible Translation But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said to his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. World English Bible But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David sees that his servants are whispering, and David understands that the boy is dead, and David says to his servants, “Is the boy dead?” And they say, “Dead.” Young's Literal Translation And David seeth that his servants are whispering, and David understandeth that the lad is dead, and David saith unto his servants, 'Is the lad dead?' and they say, 'Dead.' Smith's Literal Translation And David will see that his servants are whispering, and David will perceive that the child died: and David will say to his servants, Did the child die? and they will say, He died. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut when David saw his servants whispering, he understood that the child was dead: and he said to his servants: Is the child dead? They answered him: He is dead. Catholic Public Domain Version But when David had seen his servants whispering, he realized that the infant had died. And he said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they responded to him, “He is dead.” New American Bible But David noticed his servants whispering among themselves and realized that the child was dead. He asked his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “Yes.” New Revised Standard Version But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, he perceived that the child was dead; and David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut when David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead; therefore he said to his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And when David saw his Servants that they whispered, David understood that the boy was dead, and David said to his Servants: “Is the boy dead?” They said to him, “He is dead.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But when David saw that his servants whispered together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said unto his servants: 'Is the child dead?' And they said: 'He is dead.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And David understood that his servants were whispering, and David perceived that the child was dead: and David said to his servants, Is the child dead? and they said, He is dead. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David's Loss and Repentance…18On the seventh day the child died. But David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Look, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to us. So how can we tell him the child is dead? He may even harm himself.” 19When David saw that his servants were whispering to one another, he perceived that the child was dead. So he asked his servants, “Is the child dead?” “He is dead,” they replied. 20Then David got up from the ground, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they set food before him, and he ate.… Cross References 2 Samuel 18:33 The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 2 Samuel 14:1-2 Now Joab son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. / So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time. 1 Kings 1:27 Has my lord the king let this happen without informing your servant who should sit on the throne after my lord the king?” 1 Kings 2:25 So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died. Genesis 37:33-35 His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!” / Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. / All 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 1:18-20 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, / when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” / Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, Matthew 2:16-18 When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. / Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: / “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” John 11:33-35 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. / Jesus wept. Mark 5:38-39 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. / He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” Luke 7:12-13 As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. / When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.” Luke 8:52-53 Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.” / And they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead. John 20:11-13 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, / and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet. / “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.” Acts 9:39 So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Revelation 21:4 ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. Treasury of Scripture But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said to his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Jump to Previous Child David Dead Lad Noticed Perceived Quietly Realized Servants Talking Themselves Together Understandeth Whispered WhisperingJump to Next Child David Dead Lad Noticed Perceived Quietly Realized Servants Talking Themselves Together Understandeth Whispered Whispering2 Samuel 12 1. Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.7. David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned 15. David mourns and prays for the child while it lives 24. Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah 26. David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereof When David saw that his servants were whispering to one another David, as king, was accustomed to observing the behavior of those around him. The whispering of his servants indicated that they were discussing something of great importance and likely distressing. In the ancient Near Eastern context, servants often communicated sensitive information discreetly to avoid causing public alarm or distress to their masters. This behavior reflects the cultural norms of the time, where direct communication of bad news was often avoided to prevent immediate emotional reactions. he perceived that the child was dead So he asked his servants, “Is the child dead?” “He is dead,” they replied Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, a man after God's own heart, who sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrating the death of her husband, Uriah. 2. Servants of David Individuals in David's court who were aware of the child's illness and death, and who communicated this to David. 3. The Child The son born to David and Bathsheba, who became ill and died as a consequence of David's sin. 4. Bathsheba The wife of Uriah, who became David's wife after Uriah's death and the mother of the child who died. 5. Nathan the Prophet Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Nathan plays a crucial role in the preceding account by confronting David about his sin and pronouncing God's judgment. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinSin has real and often painful consequences, not only for the sinner but also for those around them. David's sin led to the death of his child, reminding us of the seriousness of sin. The Importance of Repentance David's response to his sin, as seen in Psalm 51, is a model of genuine repentance. We are called to confess and turn away from our sins, trusting in God's mercy. God's Sovereignty and Justice God's actions in this account demonstrate His sovereignty and justice. While He forgives, He also disciplines His children for their growth and correction. The Role of Community David's servants play a role in communicating difficult truths. In our lives, we need a community that can speak truth to us, even when it is hard to hear. Hope Beyond Judgment Despite the immediate consequences, David's account does not end in despair. God continues to work in David's life, ultimately bringing about the birth of Solomon, who would succeed David as king. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When Davidדָּוִ֗ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse saw וַיַּ֣רְא (way·yar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see that כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction his servants עֲבָדָיו֙ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant were whispering to each other, מִֽתְלַחֲשִׁ֔ים (miṯ·la·ḥă·šîm) Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 3907: To whisper, to mumble a, spell he דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse perceived וַיָּ֥בֶן (way·yā·ḇen) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand that כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the child הַיָּ֑לֶד (hay·yā·leḏ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring was dead. מֵ֣ת (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill So he דָּוִ֧ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse asked וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say his servants, עֲבָדָ֛יו (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant “Is the child הַיֶּ֖לֶד (hay·ye·leḏ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring dead?” הֲמֵ֥ת (hă·mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill “He is dead,” מֵֽת׃ (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill they replied. וַיֹּ֥אמְרוּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say Links 2 Samuel 12:19 NIV2 Samuel 12:19 NLT 2 Samuel 12:19 ESV 2 Samuel 12:19 NASB 2 Samuel 12:19 KJV 2 Samuel 12:19 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 12:19 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 12:19 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 12:19 French Bible 2 Samuel 12:19 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 12:19 But when David saw that his servants (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
    |