And the LORD afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick. David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” 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.” 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. Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, 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 will not return to me.”
Comment: Of what did this child die? Maybe with modern facilities the experts would have been able to put their finger on a pathological route which took the boy from life to death. This passage simply tells us that God was in control! David’s response to illness is a good example for us to follow – get the advice of those standing around; draw the situation to God’s attention (prayer and fasting); accept the death and get on with living. That may seem as if he was a bit cold, but I wouldn’t mind betting that he had many heartaches and that he and Bathsheba shed many tears together! Grief no doubt was expressed, but the kingdom had a functional King again!
Prayer: Facing death can be hard Father. May I be a good support for my friends and wise when I stand facing a personal death experience.
As I read it! 