2Sa 12:17-18 | KD | STEP | Then David sought God (in prayer) for the boy, and fasted, and went and lay all night upon the earth. וּבא, “he came,” not into the sanctuary of the Lord ( is proof to the contrary), but into his house, or into his chamber, to pour out his heart before God, and bend beneath His chastising hand, and refused the appeal of his most confidential servants, who tried to raise him up, and strengthen him with food. “The elders of his house,” judging from , were the oldest and most confidential servants, “the most highly honoured of his servants, and those who had the greatest influence with him” (Clericus).

‏ 2 Samuel 12:17-18

Then David sought God (in prayer) for the boy, and fasted, and went and lay all night upon the earth. וּבא, “he came,” not into the sanctuary of the Lord (2Sa 12:20 is proof to the contrary), but into his house, or into his chamber, to pour out his heart before God, and bend beneath His chastising hand, and refused the appeal of his most confidential servants, who tried to raise him up, and strengthen him with food. “The elders of his house,” judging from Gen 24:2, were the oldest and most confidential servants, “the most highly honoured of his servants, and those who had the greatest influence with him” (Clericus). 2Sa 12:18

On the seventh day, when the child died, the servants of David were afraid to tell him of its death; for they said (to one another), “Behold, while the child was still living, we spoke to him, and he did not hearken to our voice; how should we say to him, now the child is dead, that he should do harm?” (i.e., do himself an injury in the depth of his anguish.)