Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. New Living Translation Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the LORD. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate. English Standard Version Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. Berean Standard Bible Then 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. Berean Literal Bible And David arose from the ground, and he washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes, and he went into the house of YHWH and worshiped. And he went to his own house, and he requested, and they set before him food, and he ate. King James Bible Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. New King James Version So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. New American Standard Bible So David got up from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and when he asked, they served him food, and he ate. NASB 1995 So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate. NASB 1977 So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate. Legacy Standard Bible So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of Yahweh and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and he asked, and they set food before him, and he ate. Amplified Bible Then David got up from the ground, washed, anointed himself [with olive oil], changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he came [back] to his own house, and when he asked, they set food before him and he ate. Berean Annotated Bible Then David (beloved) got up from the ground, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD {YHWH} and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they set food before him, and he ate. Christian Standard Bible Then David got up from the ground. He washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, went to the LORD’s house, and worshiped. Then he went home and requested something to eat. So they served him food, and he ate. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then David got up from the ground. He washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, went to the LORD’s house, and worshiped. Then he went home and requested something to eat. So they served him food, and he ate. American Standard Version Then 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. Contemporary English Version David got up off the floor; he took a bath, combed his hair, and dressed. He went into the LORD's tent and worshiped, then he went back home. David asked for something to eat, and when his servants brought him some food, he ate it. English Revised Version Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel; and he came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required they set bread before him, and he did eat. GOD'S WORD® Translation So David got up from the ground, bathed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He went into the LORD's house and worshiped. Then he went home and asked for food. They placed food in front of him, and he ate. Good News Translation David got up from the floor, took a bath, combed his hair, and changed his clothes. Then he went and worshiped in the house of the LORD. When he returned to the palace, he asked for food and ate it as soon as it was served. International Standard Version At this, David got up from the ground, washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the LORD's tent to worship. Then he went back to his palace where, at his request, they served him food and he ate. NET Bible So David got up from the ground, bathed, put on oil, and changed his clothes. He went to the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then, when he entered his palace, he requested that food be brought to him, and he ate. New Heart English Bible Then David arose from the ground, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and he asked for bread to eat. And they set bread before him, and he ate. Webster's Bible Translation Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he ate. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen 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. World English Bible Then David arose from the earth, and washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into Yahweh’s house, and worshiped. Then he came to his own house; and when he requested, they set bread before him and he ate. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David rises from the earth, and bathes and anoints [himself], and changes his raiment, and comes into the house of YHWH, and bows himself, and comes to his house, and asks and they place bread for him, and he eats. Berean Literal Bible And David arose from the ground, and he washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes, and he went into the house of YHWH and worshiped. And he went to his own house, and he requested, and they set before him food, and he ate. Young's Literal Translation And David riseth from the earth, and doth bathe and anoint himself, and changeth his raiment, and cometh in to the house of Jehovah, and boweth himself, and cometh unto his house, and asketh and they place for him bread, and he eateth. Smith's Literal Translation And David will rise from the earth and wash, and be anointed, and he will change his garments, and will go into the house of Jehovah and worship, and go to his house; and he will ask and they will set bread to him, and he will eat. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen David arose from the ground, and washed and anointed himself: and when he had changed his apparel, he went into the house of the Lord: and worshipped, and then he came into his own house, and he called for bread, and ate. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, David rose up from the ground. And he washed and anointed himself. And when he had changed his clothing, he entered the house of the Lord, and he worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and he asked them to place bread before him, and he ate. New American Bible Rising from the ground, David washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes. Then he went to the house of the LORD and worshiped. He returned to his own house and asked for food; they set it before him, and he ate. New Revised Standard Version Then David rose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He went into the house of the LORD, and worshiped; he then went to his own house; and when he asked, they set food before him and he ate. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen David arose from the earth, and washed and anointed himself, and changed his garments and went into the house of the LORD and worshipped; then he came to his own house and asked for food, and they set it before him and he did eat. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David arose from the ground and washed and he anointed himself and changed his clothes and entered the house of LORD JEHOVAH and worshiped, and he came to his house and asked for bread and they set it out and he ate OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel; and he came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped; then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Brenton Septuagint Translation Then David rose up from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his raiment, and went into the house of God, and worshipped him; and went into his own house, and called for bread to eat, and they set bread before him and he ate. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David's Loss and Repentance…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. 21“What is this you have done?” his servants asked. “While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but when he died, you got up and ate.”… Cross References Then David got up from the ground, 1 Samuel 1:18-19 “May your maidservant find favor with you,” said Hannah. Then she went on her way, and she began to eat, and her face was no longer downcast. / The next morning they got up early to bow in worship before the LORD, and then they returned home to Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. Esther 4:16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!” Psalm 30:11 You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, washed and anointed himself, Ruth 3:3 Therefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. Matthew 6:17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head. changed his clothes, Genesis 41:14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of the dungeon. After he had shaved and changed his clothes, he went in before Pharaoh. Genesis 35:2 So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments. Zechariah 3:4 So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.” and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. 2 Kings 19:14-15 So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. / And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Isaiah 37:14-15 So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. / And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: 2 Chronicles 7:3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” Then he went to his own house, Mark 5:19 But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” Mark 2:11 “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” Luke 8:39 “Return home and describe how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and proclaimed all over the town how much Jesus had done for him. and at his request they set food before him, and he ate. 1 Kings 19:5-8 Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” / And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. / A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” … Treasury of Scripture Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. arose Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. Psalm 39:9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. anointed Ruth 3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. the house 2 Samuel 6:17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 2 Samuel 7:18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, Jump to Previous Anointed Apparel Ate Bread Changed Clothing David Earth Eat Food Ground House Requested Required Washed Worshiped WorshippedJump to Next Anointed Apparel Ate Bread Changed Clothing David Earth Eat Food Ground House Requested Required Washed Worshiped Worshipped2 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 Then David got up from the ground David's actions follow a period of intense mourning and fasting for his sick child, a result of his sin with Bathsheba. This moment signifies a turning point, where David accepts God's judgment. The act of rising from the ground symbolizes a shift from despair to acceptance and readiness to move forward. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, a man after God's own heart, who has just experienced the death of his child as a consequence of his sin with Bathsheba. 2. The House of the LORD The place where David goes to worship God, signifying his return to spiritual priorities and seeking God's presence. 3. David's House The place where David resumes his daily life, indicating a return to normalcy and acceptance of God's will. 4. The Death of David's Child A pivotal event that leads to David's repentance and change in behavior, highlighting the consequences of sin. 5. Anointing and Changing Clothes Symbolic actions representing purification, renewal, and a new beginning after a period of mourning. Teaching Points Repentance and RenewalDavid's actions demonstrate the importance of repentance and seeking God's presence after sin. We are called to turn back to God, cleanse ourselves, and renew our commitment to Him. Worship in Adversity David's decision to worship God despite his personal loss teaches us to prioritize worship and trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult times. Acceptance of God's Will By resuming his daily life, David shows acceptance of God's will. We are encouraged to trust God's plan and move forward in faith after experiencing loss or discipline. Symbolism of Anointing and Clothing The act of anointing and changing clothes symbolizes spiritual renewal and a fresh start. We are reminded of the importance of outward actions reflecting inward spiritual changes. Community and Support David's return to his house and eating with others highlights the role of community and support in the healing process. We should seek and offer support within our faith communities during times of trial. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 12:20?2. How does David's response in 2 Samuel 12:20 demonstrate repentance and faith? 3. What can we learn from David's actions about worship after personal failure? 4. How does David's behavior connect to Psalm 51's themes of repentance and renewal? 5. In what ways can we emulate David's return to worship after sin? 6. How does David's response illustrate the importance of seeking God in difficult times? 7. Why did David worship God immediately after his child's death in 2 Samuel 12:20? 8. How does 2 Samuel 12:20 reflect on repentance and forgiveness? 9. What cultural practices influenced David's actions in 2 Samuel 12:20? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 12? 11. In Ruth 3:3–4, why would Naomi instruct Ruth to approach Boaz at night in secret instead of openly, raising questions about her motives or social conventions? 12. Why does God forbid David from building the temple in 1 Chronicles 22:8 but never give that explicit reason in the parallel accounts (e.g., 2 Samuel 7)? 13. In 2 Samuel 12:7-14, why would a just God inflict punishment on an innocent child for David's sin, seemingly contradicting Ezekiel 18:20? 14. In 2 Samuel 12:15-23, how can the moral or spiritual purpose of the child's death be reconciled with the idea of a loving and merciful God? What Does 2 Samuel 12:20 Mean Then David got up from the ground• David had spent seven days face-down in intercession and fasting for the child (2 Samuel 12:16–18). Rising signals the end of that season. • True repentance grieves sin yet does not remain paralyzed; God “raises me up from the pit” (Psalm 40:2). • Moving from the ground to his feet echoes Micah 7:8—“Though I have fallen, I will arise.” Washed and anointed himself • Washing pictures cleansing after mourning (Genesis 35:2) and before meeting God. • Anointing with oil was a normal act of refreshment (Ruth 3:3), and Jesus assumes it after fasting: “anoint your head and wash your face” (Matthew 6:17). • David’s outward cleansing mirrors the inward forgiveness Nathan pronounced in verse 13. Changed his clothes • Fresh garments mark a new chapter—Joseph did the same before Pharaoh (Genesis 41:14). • Isaiah 61:3 promises “the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair”; David now puts that on. • Spiritually, it pictures putting off the old and putting on the new (Colossians 3:9-10). Went into the house of the LORD and worshiped • First priority: God’s presence. Like Job, who “fell to the ground and worshiped” after loss (Job 1:20), David turns grief into adoration. • Psalm 122:1 shows his heart: “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’” • Hebrews 10:22 invites believers to draw near “with a true heart in full assurance of faith”—David does exactly that. Then he went to his own house • Worship does not replace daily life; it equips us for it. Acts 2:46 combines temple worship with meals at home. • David resumes kingly duties, resolved to “walk within my house with integrity of heart” (Psalm 101:2). At his request they set food before him, and he ate • Eating confirms the fast is over and God’s answer—though hard—has been accepted (1 Samuel 1:18; Hannah ate after praying for Samuel). • Elijah likewise rose and ate when God signaled a new phase (1 Kings 19:5-8). • Ecclesiastes 3:4 affirms that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh,” and David discerns the shift. summary 2 Samuel 12:20 records David’s deliberate steps from sorrow to restored fellowship and renewed service. Rising, washing, changing clothes, worshiping, returning home, and eating form a pattern: acknowledge sin, receive God’s verdict, re-enter His presence, then resume life in faith. The verse assures us that genuine repentance leads not to perpetual despair but to cleansing, worship, and a fresh start by God’s grace. Verse 20. - Then David arose from the earth. If David's grief had been occasioned by love for the child, then its death and the consciousness that, while his guilt had caused its sickness, his prayers had not availed to save it, would have aggravated his anguish. There was much personal regard for the child, which had been made the more precious by these very eyelets. But David's sorrow was, as we have seen, that of penitence, and not that of natural affection. When, therefore, the threatened penalty had been paid by the death of the child, David felt it to be his duty to show his resignation, and therefore he went into the sanctuary and worshipped, in proof that he acknowledged the justice of God's dealings, and was content to bear the punishment as his righteous desert.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Davidדָּוִ֨ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse got up וַיָּקָם֩ (way·yā·qām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand from the ground, מֵהָאָ֜רֶץ (mê·hā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-m, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land washed וַיִּרְחַ֣ץ (way·yir·ḥaṣ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7364: To wash, wash off or away, bathe and anointed himself, וַיָּ֗סֶךְ (way·yā·seḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5480: To pour (in anointing), anoint changed וַיְחַלֵּף֙ (way·ḥal·lêp̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2498: To slide by, to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce, change his clothes, שִׂמְלֹתָ֔יו (śim·lō·ṯāw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 8071: A dress, a mantle and went into וַיָּבֹ֥א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go the house בֵית־ (ḇêṯ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and worshiped. וַיִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ (way·yiš·tā·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate Then he went וַיָּבֹא֙ (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to his own house, בֵּית֔וֹ (bê·ṯōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house and at his request וַיִּשְׁאַ֕ל (way·yiš·’al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand they set וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ (way·yā·śî·mū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set food לֶ֖חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain before him, ל֛וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew and he ate. וַיֹּאכַֽל׃ (way·yō·ḵal) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 398: To eat Links 2 Samuel 12:20 NIV2 Samuel 12:20 NLT 2 Samuel 12:20 ESV 2 Samuel 12:20 NASB 2 Samuel 12:20 KJV 2 Samuel 12:20 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 12:20 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 12:20 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 12:20 French Bible 2 Samuel 12:20 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 12:20 Then David arose from the earth (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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